THREE people have died in a train derailment in Aberdeenshire and six people are injured, British Transport Police (BTP) have said.

The force said those pronounced dead at the scene near Stonehaven include the train’s driver.

The 6.38am Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street ScotRail service crashed on Wednesday morning amid heavy rain and flooding.

BTP said those injured have been taken to hospital and are not thought to be seriously hurt.

The force believes all passengers have now been accounted for.

BTP chief superintendent Eddie Wylie said: “This is a tragic incident and first and foremost our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have very sadly died this morning.

“We remain on scene alongside our emergency service colleagues and a major incident operation has been under way.

“I would like to reassure the public that this was not a busy service and from CCTV inquiries and witness statements we believe all passengers have been accounted for.”

He added: “However, once the area has been made safe then a full and thorough search will be conducted, which is likely to take some time.

“I know many people will understandably have questions and we will be working closely alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail and Road to establish the full circumstances of how the train came to derail.”

Rail industry sources told the PA agency the suspected cause of the incident is a landslip.

They said the train stopped due to a landslip and moved back along the line when it crashed into another landslip.

The train comprised a locomotive and four carriages.

It is understood the locomotive and three carriages derailed and slid down an embankment.

Dozens of emergency service vehicles, including an air ambulance, were called to the scene at about 9.40am.

Unions called the crash a “tragedy” as a major incident was declared at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “My deepest condolences are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.

“I have just been updated by Network Rail and the emergency services on the ongoing operation.

“My thanks go to them, and my thoughts remain with everyone affected.”

She also tweeted the NHS Grampian helpline number, adding: “Anyone worried about friends or family involved in the Stonehaven rail incident can call 01224 319519 for advice and support.”

The train involved was the 06.38 Aberdeen to Stonehaven, made up of a locomotive and four carriages.

Local MP Andrew Bowie said he had spoken to the UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who is liaising with Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail about the derailment.

He told the PA news agency: “It’s obviously a terrible situation, a train derailment, the emergency services are on the scene.

“I’ve already spoken to Grant Shapps, who has spoken to Network Rail and the British Transport Police, who are obviously investigating and assisting.

“I am aware that Aberdeen Royal Infirmary has declared a major incident.”

Train operator ScotRail posted a message on Twitter shortly after 6.30am warning that services across Scotland would be disrupted due to “extremely heavy rain flooding”.

A video shared on Facebook at 7.30am shows heavy flooding in Stonehaven.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “HM Coastguard was called at around 10.33am today to assist Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service with an incident near Stonehaven.

“We are currently assisting as part of a multi-agency response and have sent coastguard rescue teams from Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Cruden Bay, Banff and Montrose along with a coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick.

“Two coastal operations area commanders and four senior coastal operations officers are also at the scene. This is an ongoing incident.”

Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines is cutting short a family holiday in Italy and will fly back to the UK tonight, the PA news agency understands.

He will visit the crash site on Thursday.