Delayed Warning Leads to 84mph Train Collision with Fallen Tree in Dundee

An investigation reveals communication failures and tree management issues as key factors in the crash that damaged a ScotRail train but caused no injuries.

A ScotRail train traveling at 84mph collided with a fallen tree near Broughty Ferry, Dundee, on December 27, 2023, causing severe damage to the driver's cab but no injuries to the 37 passengers or three staff onboard.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found that a public warning call about the tree, made 12 minutes before the crash, was not relayed to the driver in time due to unanswered calls at Network Rail's control center.
The tree, located in a Dundee City Council-owned park, was uprooted during Storm Gerrit, with prior tree removals in the area increasing its exposure to strong winds.
Network Rail has since updated its emergency contact procedures and is investing in vegetation management to reduce risks from falling trees on railway lines.
The RAIB recommended improvements to Network Rail's public reporting systems, Dundee City Council's tree management practices, and further safety evaluations for high-speed trains.