Commenting on the publication of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) independent report into the accident at Carmont on 12 August 2020, Ian McConnell, ScotRail Chief Operating Officer, said:
"This report is a terrible reminder of the awful events of 12 August 2020. Nobody in ScotRail or the wider industry will ever forget what happened.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families, friends, and colleagues of Brett, Donald, and Christopher. The publication of today’s report will be another painful reminder of their loss. While there is nothing we can ever say to ease that pain, we have been in contact with the families and continue to offer any support we can.
“This report makes for very sober reading. The RAIB is clear that the derailment was caused by debris washed out from a drain and onto the track, with failures in the specific drainage system installed by Network Rail in 2011/12 being a key factor.
“The majority of the RAIB recommendations relate to other parties but ScotRail will play its part fully in ensuring that safety lessons are learned. We are working closely with Network Rail and the wider industry to do everything possible to reduce the risk of something like this ever happening again.
“The way the industry responds to extreme weather incidents has already changed following the events of 12 August 2020 and a number of the report’s recommendations have already been implemented.”