3 dead, 6 in hospital after train derails n Scotland

British Transport Police say three people died and six were taken to hospital after a passenger train derailed in rast Scotland amid stormy wear.

train's driver was among de in Wednesday's incident, which occurred after heavy rain.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described derailment as a “major'' incident and said she would be convening an emergency response meeting.

Police, several ambulances, an air ambulance and fire engines were at scene.

British Transport Police force said officers were called at 9:43 a.m. (0843GMT) to railway line near Stonehaven, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) rast of Edinburgh.

Local lawmaker Andrew Bowie said Aberdeen Royal Infirmary h declared a major incident. Bowie h been in Stonehaven surveying flood dam earlier Wednesday.

“ situation was really b this morning. River Carron, main river which flows through it, h burst its banks, and heavy rain h caused flooding in center of Stonehaven and lots of side streets leing off it,'' he said.

Bowie ded that water h receded and it was unclear if flooding was connected to derailment.

“I don't think speculation is helpful at this st,'' he said. “We obviously don't kw why derailment took place, but obviously we have suffered terrible wear here.” Stonehaven is on line for passenger trains linking Aberdeen with cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. hilly area was hit by storms and flash flooding overnight.

Serious train accidents are rare in U.K. country's last fatal derailment was in 2007.

he of Network Rail cut short a family holiday in return to UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “I am sdened to learn of very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those affected. My thanks to emergency services at scene.”