Train collision near Carrbridge leads to fatality and major disruption to Inverness services
Rail services to and from Inverness were significantly disrupted after a person was struck and killed by a train on the line between Aviemore and Inverness on the evening of Wednesday 12 August. British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed officers attended the scene near Carrbridge station after being called at about 8.30pm.
Officers and paramedics attended, but a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and BTP said a file will be prepared for the Procurator Fiscal.
"We were called to Carrbridge station shortly after 8.30pm yesterday following reports of a casualty on the tracks. Officers attended along with paramedics, but sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the Procurator Fiscal."
The incident has had a direct impact on services serving Inverness. LNER reported delays and cancellations, and confirmed an early morning service from Inverness to London King's Cross on Thursday was cancelled for passengers at a number of stations and replaced by a bus service for part of the journey.
ScotRail also reported cancellations on the Far North Line between Inverness and Wick, with operators citing knock-on effects from earlier cancellations on the Highland Main Line. Passengers travelling between Inverness and Edinburgh were advised to make use of rail replacement transport and to consult station departure boards or speak to station staff for the latest information.
Stations affected and passenger advice
Passengers from stations across the Highland Main Line and connecting routes were affected. LNER said the disrupted early morning service would no longer call at several stations on the route to Edinburgh and beyond, with a rail replacement service put in place for the Inverness leg.
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Inverness to London King's Cross (LNER) | Early morning service cancelled at multiple stations; rail replacement for Inverness–Edinburgh section |
| Inverness to Wick (ScotRail) | Some services cancelled; possible knock-on disruption from Highland Main Line incident |
Passengers were urged to join the next available LNER service towards their destination on arrival in Edinburgh and to follow instructions from on‑site staff. LNER expressed regret for the inconvenience to customers.
- Immediate impact: delays and cancellations on services to/from Inverness and replacement buses for portions of journeys.
- Investigation: British Transport Police attended; incident not being treated as suspicious; file to be prepared for the Procurator Fiscal.
- Passenger support: LNER reminded any passengers affected by the incident that organisations such as the Samaritans can be contacted for support.
The death of a person on the railway in the Highlands is being handled through normal investigatory procedures. Preparing a file for the Procurator Fiscal is the routine next step where a non-suspicious sudden death has occurred on the rail network.
Local communities and regular travellers through Carrbridge and Inverness may continue to see timetable changes while inquiries and any necessary engineering checks are completed. Both train operators have been approached for further comment, and British Transport Police have provided the principal factual account of their attendance and findings so far.
Anyone seeking travel updates was advised to consult service operator websites and station boards. Passengers who were impacted by the incident and require assistance were reminded that station staff remain the first point of contact, and that national support services are available for those distressed by witnessing or being affected by railway incidents.
