Train crash driver tells how he led passengers out of wreck

Published on Monday 7 June 2010 10:22

THE DRIVER of a train which crashed and caught fire after being derailed by a landslide has spoken of how he led passengers to safety from the wreck.

Train driver Willie Dickson, from Grangemouth, was in charge of the 6.20pm service from Glasgow to Oban when it derailed near the Falls of Cruachan in Argyll shortly before 9pm last night.

Today he said he had held the hands of passengers as he led them to safety from the incident, which left eight people needing hospital treatment.

Mr Dickson, and on board colleagues Drew Hinde and Angus MacColl, also spoke of "a real team effort" in helping people off the train and paid tribute to passengers who helped them in their efforts.

A railwayman for 30 years and a train driver since 1992, Mr Dickson, 60, said: "It was a real team effort after the train came to a halt."

The driver, who is married with two daughters, said he had applied emergency brakes on seeing "two huge rocks on the track."

"I stayed at the controls until the train came to rest," he said. "I then entered the front carriage and tried to calm passengers down before taking people by the hand and leading them off the train.

"My colleagues were brilliant – as were some passengers who helped others on board. It was a real team effort."

Hospitality host Drew Hinde, 38, of Glasgow, said he had used his catering trolley to steady himself following the impact.

Mr Hinde, who was worked for ScotRail for almost three years, said: "My initial thought was that it was surreal but we immediately helped all passengers leave the train."

Conductor Angus MacColl, 54, of Oban, said he was in the rear coach when the train came to a halt.

"I shouted 'calm down, calm down' and it worked," he said. "I got people out the back before going into the front carriage where passengers were also being taken off the train.

"Willie and Drew were brilliant – as were passengers who helped out."

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail's managing director, paid tribute to the way the traincrew had handled the incident.

"This could have been more serious but for their actions," he said. "They did a tremendous job in difficult circumstances are a credit to the company."

He also noted the robustness of the train and added: "I would also like to thank our customers for their support and efforts in ensuring that everyone disembarked safely. As many customers are now without their luggage, we are providing subsistence support."

Mr Montgomery said ScotRail was assisting the RAIB and other agencies in understanding the cause of the landslip and its effects.

A temporary timetable is in place until the train is recovered. A replacement bus service is operating directly between Oban and Glasgow Queen Street and there are also buses from Crianlarich to Oban via Ballachullish.

Passengers have been advised that journey times will be extended and should allow extra time for any onward connections.