Fund for families affected by fatal Stonehaven train crash reaches £142k

A fund set up to support the families of those killed in the Stonehaven train crash has raised more than £140,000.

Members of the public, along with union members and branches, are being thanked for their generosity following August's derailment.

Three people - driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury - died when the ScotRail service hit a landslip and came off the tracks south of the Aberdeenshire town.

A fund was set up by the rail unions ASLEF and RMT in the aftermath - and it has now collected £142,200.

The fund will be split equally between the families of the three men who died.

Kevin Lindsay, ASLEF's organiser in Scotland, said:  "I am humbled by this total, which is a magnificent effort by our members, our branches, and our fellow trade unionists.

"While money will not bring back, to the families, their loved ones who died at Stonehaven, it will help them to deal with many of the practical matters and difficulties they will face.

"And I am determined, with my colleagues, to pursue the causes of this accident, and get the answers everyone wants, for the bereaved families, and for every other railwayman and woman."

Mick Hogg, RMT regional organiser, said: "This is a true testament to the solidarity of railway workers, their families and friends.

"The money will help the families but we will continue to campaign to make the railway safer – including the changing of industry rules for reporting and responding to adverse weather conditions that need to be improved and strengthened – If we are to learn any lessons from this travesty‎."

Mick Cas,h RMT general secretary, said: "I want to thank our local Aberdeen branch officials Ann Joss and Mike Rollo, along with Jim Gray from our Scottish Regional Council and regional organiser Mick Hogg, who have worked tirelessly with our ASLEF colleagues to raise this extraordinary sum of money for the families of the Stonehaven victims.

"They have helped ensure that those who lost their lives in this tragedy will never be forgotten."