Extreme rain conditions similar to those linked to the fatal Stonehaven train derailment five years ago will become more common due to climate change , according to a new study.

Researchers found that intense deluges like one that preceded a derailment at Carmont near the Aberdeenshire town, which claimed three lives in August 2020 are between 15% and 20% more likely in future due to the warming environment.

Experts said that should the world warm by more than two degrees above pre-industrial levels, the likelihood of such downpours would increase by 30 to 40%.

Train driver Brett McCullough, 45, conductor Donald Dinnie, 58, and passenger Christopher Stuchbury, 62, died following the derailment on August 12 2020 while six people were injured.

A criminal prosecution saw Network R

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