THE Scottish Sun has apologised for a front page describing the fatal train derailment in Aberdeenshire as “death express”.

Train driver Brett McCullough, conductor Donald Dinnie and passenger Christopher Stuchbury were killed when the ScotRail train derailed near Stonehaven.

Investigators have confirmed the accident occurred after the train hit a landslip which occurred after heavy rain.

Twitter users called for a boycott of the newspaper after its front page caused outrage.

It showed a picture of the train’s driver and the scene of the tragic accident with the headline “death express”.

READ MORE: Stonehaven crash: Investigators confirm train was derailed by landslip

Now the newspaper’s editor Alan Muir has issued an apology.

On social media, he posted: “I’m writing today to apologise.

“Wednesday was a tragic day for Scotland, an the headline on the front page of our paper in relation to the terrible train accident caused further distress.

“For that, I am truly sorry.

“My team and I work hard every day to give you a product of high standard – but this time I made a mistake.

“At a time when family, friends and colleagues are grieving the loss of their loved ones, the last thing they need is something else to add to their grief.”

Muir said it would “never be my intention to cause any deliberate upset or hurt”.

Tributes have poured in for the three men killed in the derailment since they were publicly named.

The family of 45-year-old McCullough said he was “the most decent and loving human being we have ever met”, while a union official said Dinnie was “an amazing person”.

Stuchbury’s family said he was a “much adored husband, son, dad, stepdad, grandad, brother and uncle and was a treasured and loved friend to many”.