THE families of the three people killed after the train derailment near Stonehaven on Wednesday have paid tribute to their lost loved ones.

Christopher Stuchbury, 62, from Aberdeen who was a passenger on the early morning service to Glasgow, was named yesterday alongside train driver Brett McCullough and conductor Donald Dinnie as a fatality in the incident. A total of six people have also been treated in hospital for minor injuries after the train came off the tracks at around 10am in the morning.

Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson confirmed that 12 people were on the train at the time of the derailment, adding: “My heart goes out to all those who have been affected.”

In a tribute to Stuchbury, who worked for Targe Towing and volunteered at the Roxburghe House hospice in Aberdeen during his spare time, his family said: “Chris was a much adored husband, son, dad, stepdad, grandad, brother and uncle and was a treasured and loved friend to many.”

McCullough’s family paid tribute to “the most decent and loving human being we have ever known”. They said: “Words cannot describe the utterly devastating effect of Brett’s death on his family and friends. We have lost a wonderful husband, father and son in the most awful of circumstances.

“Brett was the most decent and loving human being we have ever known and his passing leaves a huge void in all our lives. We would like to thank the emergency services for their heroic efforts in helping everyone affected by this tragedy and for all the messages of support and condolence we have received.”

Dinnie’s family also released a statement yesterday, saying: “Donald was a kind, caring and genuine person who was never found without a smile on his face. We know he will be deeply missed by all.”

Investigators from the British Transport Police, Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Office of Rail and Road are working to identify the exact cause of the derailment. Inspections are to be carried out across parts of the country’s rail network deemed at risk of flash flooding to avoid a repeat. Meanwhile, the Transport Secretary yesterday responded to media reports that inspectors were warned about a rise in landslips in the weeks leading to the crash.

He said: “What I do know is that the rail network are experiencing increasing challenges across different parts of the routes – not just here in Scotland but right across the UK – due to what is an increasing number of very intense localised weather events that have a significant impact on the infrastructure that they have within the rail network.”

He added recent years have seen “significant incidents”, including when part of the West Highland line near Crianlarich was washed away after heavy rain.

He went on: “My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by this, particularly to the families and friends of those who were killed in this incident yesterday.

“My thoughts are very much with them and I also hope those injured in the course of this incident are able to make a speedy recovery.”

Matheson also praised the “dedication and courage” of an unidentified crew member who reportedly “walked a mile” along the tracks to raise the alarm at a signal box.

He said: “It just demonstrates the courage and the determination they had to try and deal with the incident as effectively as possible.

“I have already highlighted how I have been quite literally humbled in the way our emergency response team have dealt with this issue, which includes Network Rail engineers over the course of the last 24 hours. The absolutely outstanding actions of this member of staff just demonstrates this dedication.”