MULTIPLE injuries have been reported after two trains collided at a Highlands railway station.
A train crashed into a stationary carriage at Aviemore Railway Station at around 7pm on Friday.
The National Railway Museum confirmed that one of the trains involved in the crash is the iconic Flying Scotsman.
We can confirm that steam locomotive Flying Scotsman has been involved in a shunting incident at Aviemore Station. We will provide further information once more details are known.
— National Railway Museum (@RailwayMuseum) September 29, 2023
Shortly after 9pm, Scotrail confirmed that services were able to run normally again through Aviemore station.
NEW: Due to the emergency services responding to an incident on a private railway near the mainline, we're currently unable to run any trains through Aviemore station while they work. ^Angus pic.twitter.com/ceK3AGX6qH
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) September 29, 2023
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) sent eight appliances to the scene.
SFRS said three appliances remain at the scene.
Police confirmed two people have been taken to hospital for treatment, with more being treated at the scene.
A police spokesperson said: "Around 7pm on Friday, 29 September, 2023, we received a report of two trains colliding at Aviemore Railway Station.
"Emergency services are in attendance, and two people have been taken to Raigmore Hospital.
"A number of other passengers are being treated at the scene and enquiries are ongoing."
It is believed three other passengers were treated at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said on Twitter/X: "Can I thank our emergency services for their response.
"My thoughts with those affected, I wish them a speedy recovery."
A spokesman for Network Rail said: “It’s on a heritage railway line, it’s not our infrastructure.
“The main line is shut while emergency services respond.
“We are saying to passengers to check before travelling.”
Ariane Burgess, Scottish Greens MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region), said: “We are still waiting on further information about what exactly has happened to cause this, but I understand people were injured and my thoughts are with them.
“We are indebted to the emergency services and rail and train crews who have been working to help and treat the casualties and others at the scene, and hospitals teams dealing with them. They have our heartfelt thanks.
“I am seeking further information on what has occurred and will be following details closely.”
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Scottish Greens transport spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said: “It is too early to know what has caused this incident, but clearly a full investigation will have to take place.
“From reports it appears this has been on the heritage track, the Strathspey Railway line, involving the Flying Scotsman and that nearby services on the main line have been temporarily impacted to allow emergency efforts to continue.
“We are thinking of all those involved at this challenging time and thanks all those who have taken part in the emergency response.”
A statement from the Belmond and Strathspey Railway said: “We can confirm that on Friday September 29 at 1815, a shunting incident occurred when the Flying Scotsman locomotive was being coupled with Belmond’s Royal Scotsman train carriages, which were stationary on heritage railway line, Strathspey Railway.
“Flying Scotsman was visiting the railway as part of a planned excursion.
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“Emergency services attended the site to provide assistance. Two people attended hospital and were later released, with others being treated at the scene.
“Appropriate authorities were notified immediately, and we are co-operating with their investigations.”
A tourist booked to travel on the world-famous steam train on Sunday saw the aftermath of the crash.
Lewis Smith travelled up from Glasgow and was surprised to see emergency services outside the station.
He said: “We arrived here quite late and so we took a walk into Aviemore to get something to eat.
“We passed by the station and saw the Flying Scotsman and a fire engine at the platform.
“We decided to come back to see what was happening after getting food. At around 8.30pm we came back to the station and got some photos of the engine.
“There didn’t seem to be anything wrong apart from all signals on the mainline being set to red but I didn’t really take much notice.
“When we got back we got a phone call from a friend asking if we had seen the accident. We didn’t know anything was wrong until we checked the news.”
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