The Crown Office has confirmed “no further proceedings” will be taken against a man whose car rolled down a hill and crashed into firefighters at the Stonehaven rail crash site.
Rail worker Neil Bonar’s car was alleged to have injured four firefighters when he left the handbrake off his vehicle as emergency services responded to the ongoing emergency.
It is claimed the incident caused two firefighters to plunge into a river and be carried downstream at the scene of the fatal rail crash on August 12 2020.
Driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury died when the 06:38 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street train struck gravel on the track and derailed.
The Crown Office has now confirmed that it has taken the decision that no further action will be taken against Mr Bonar at this time.
A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal spokesman said: “It is the duty of the Crown to keep cases under review.
“After full and careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, the Procurator Fiscal decided that there should be no further proceedings taken at this time.
“The Crown reserves the right to proceed in the future.”
Car allegedly rolled down hill into firefighters at Stonehaven rail crash site
A huge emergency service response was sparked by the derailment at Carmont, just south of Stonehaven.
Bonar was alleged to have parked his car at nearby Elfhill Farm.
It was claimed the 65-year-old left his vehicle unattended at the edge of a steep embankment and failed to properly secure it by applying the handbrake or engaging the gears.
The charge stated it rolled down the embankment, struck and injured four firefighters at the bottom and caused two of them to be propelled into a river and carried downstream.
Bonar, of Maitland Street, Leven, Fife, was not personally present when the case against him was treated as “not called” by the fiscal depute at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Police previously confirmed they were investigating the incident, which resulted in two firefighters being taken to the hospital and two others treated at the scene.
Paul Stewart, assistant chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said in the wake of the incident: “It was clearly a very difficult and hazardous scene, and it remains so, and we take the safety of our crews very seriously indeed.
“We did have the unfortunate event of four firefighters receiving minor injuries at the scene, two of which attended hospital for a precautionary check-up and two of which remained at the scene.”
Commenting on the latest development, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman told the Press and Journal: “We note the decision of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“This was a challenging incident and our thoughts remain with all of those who were affected by this tragedy.”