More than 70 rescued after train derails at Dingwall

MORE than 70 passengers escaped serious injury after a train derailed near a station in the Highlands. The front carriage of the Inverness to Ardgay train derailed as it approached Dingwall station at 5:45pm last night.

Network Rail said the train was carrying 75 passengers, along with one driver and an attendant. Only one person is reported to have suffered minor injuries.

Emergency services were at the scene and the passengers were helped from the two-carriage train.

The route has now been closed while investigations are carried out into the cause of the incident.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We can confirm the derailment of the 1715 service from Inverness to Ardgay on its approach to Dingwall Station, at very low speed.

"Everyone is now off the train and ScotRail are finding alternative arrangements for passengers to continue their journey.

"The route will now be closed until the train is back on the rails and we have investigated the accident and make sure it is safe for trains to run again.

"The safety of passengers is our priority."

A spokeswoman for Northern Constabulary said that emergency services were still at the scene.

She said: "We believe the front carriage slightly derailed on the approach to the station with 75 people on board and a driver and attendant."