Miracle escape for teen hit by train at Carnoustie

The 14-year-old was hit by the 9.04 Scotrail Dundee to Aberdeen service yesterday. Picture Michael Gillen

The 14-year-old girl suffered only “light” injuries when she was hit by the 9.04am Scotrail Dundee to Aberdeen service on Monday morning.

Witnesses said the girl was pinned under the front of the train after being struck - but was “conscious and speaking” as paramedics and firefighters worked to free her.

It is understood she was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for checks but was released following treatment around 5pm on Monday.

The crash occurred at about 9.15am with the train packed with commuters passing Carnoustie golf course at the time.

Passengers said the train suddenly braked hard before the driver told those on board there had been an “incident” before appealing for a first aider.

Paramedics and firefighters raced to the scene, cutting through fencing and dense bushes beside the track to gain access.

They managed to free her before taking her to hospital.

The line remained closed until around 10.55am, causing major delays to local and CrossCountry services running on the line.

Sean Lynch, 27, was travelling on board the service to work in Arbroath when it came to a sudden halt.

He said: “We had just passed Barry and were coming into Carnoustie when we slammed on the brakes quite hard.

“We came to a stop just next to the golf course, and an announcement was made saying that there had been an incident on the track.

“Then, five minutes later, they made another announcement asking if there was a first aider on board.

“The paramedics arrived at the scene and we were being updated every five minutes.

“Guys who were playing golf just stopped their game and ran over.

“They climbed the fence and came on to the road at the side of the track.

“It was obvious that there was something going on at the front of the train because the train reversed a bit as well.

“The train was full of commuters and a lot of people were quite distressed by what happened.”

George Murphy, 58, an extraction engineer at Carnoustie Golf Links, watched the incident unfold and said: “How the hell did she survive?

“Luckily the train wasn’t going quickly or I don’t think she would have survived.

“She was underneath the front wheels but was conscious and speaking. I’m just glad that she’s OK but it’s a miracle that she wasn’t killed.”

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: “Inquiries are ongoing, but there does not appear to be anything suspicious about the incident. She’s suffered minor injuries.”