THE families of the tragic victims of the Stonehaven derailment tragedy will split nearly £150,000 between them after an overwhelming response to a fundraiser.

Set up by rail unions ASLEF and RMT, the joint fund has raised £142,00 to date thanks to rail union members, branches, fellow trade unionists, and the public. 

The money will be split equally between the families of driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Sutchbury, 62.

On August 12, the Glasgow-bound ScotRail train they were travelling on derailed near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire after striking a landslip, following heavy rain overnight.

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.

“Whilst 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.

Read more: Railway line reopens after fatal derailment near Stonehaven

“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.”

We previously reported that initial findings in a report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said the trains speed had reached 72.8 mph, which was "within the maximum permitted of 75 mph on this stretch of line".

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 Cash, RMT General Secretary, added: "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.”