12 August 2025
RMT Press Office:
Rail union, RMT warned that the failure of Government and Network Rail to fully act on safety recommendations made following the fatal Carmont rail crash has left rail workers and passengers at continued risk.
Today marks five years since the derailment caused by a landslip in heavy rain near Carmont, Aberdeenshire, on 12 August 2020, which claimed the lives of three people – RMT conductor Donald Dinnie, Train driver Brett McCullough and passenger Chris Stuchbury.
The tragedy also injured six others including RMT guard Nicola Whyte who continued to carry out her duties with professionalism despite being badly hurt in the accident.
In March 2022, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) issued 20 safety recommendations in its final report into the tragedy. These included action on drainage design, control room functions, risk management processes, and train crashworthiness.
However, the RAIB’s 2024 annual report, published this year, confirms that 8 recommendations remain open - meaning critical safety issues have still not been addressed.
The RAIB stated: “A lot of work has been undertaken and progress made in closing the recommendations in the intervening years. However, eight remain open, indicating that there is still work to do.”
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has also warned that continuing with the current approach “may lead to a failure to learn the lessons of Carmont.”
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said “Our thoughts today are with the families of Donald, Brett and Chris, and with those injured and traumatised in the crash.
"But remembrance alone is not enough – there must be action, and it needs to be urgent.
“It is outrageous that five years after the accident took place, and three years since the RAIB set out what needed to change, that so many safety recommendations are still outstanding.
"We demand better – for those we lost, for those who survived and for the safety of every worker and passenger going forward."
ENDS
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Tagged with: RMT, Eddie Dempsey, Carmont
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