Carmont rail disaster that killed three could have been avoided if a drain had been built correctly, sheriff finds

Network Rail faces criticism for failing to carry out basic safety checks that could have identified the drainage defect before the crash.

The inquiry found the deaths 'might realistically' have been avoided had the drain been correctly constructed and inspections carried out.

The Carmont derailment killed driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury when the Aberdeen-to-Glasgow service left the tracks after landslip debris struck it.

The sheriff concluded that proper drain construction and routine safety checks represented the two key failures at the heart of the disaster.