Three deaths and 'serious injuries' reported after Scottish train derails during storms

A passenger train derailed in northeast Scotland on Wednesday, with reports of "serious injuries" in what First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described as "an extremely serious incident".

 "I've had an initial report from Network Rail and the emergency services and am being kept updated. All my thoughts are with those involved," she said.

The crash, close to the town of Stonehaven around 25 kilometres south of Aberdeen, followed severe flooding across parts of the region overnight. At least three people died after carriages overturned and piled on top of each other on a steep wooded slope

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also took to twitter to express his grief and condolences to the victims of the accident.

Video footage on social media showed smoke rising from the scene on the east coast of the country. Some 30 emergency vehicles were attending the scene of the derailment which happened at 9:40am.

Network Rail Scotland, the company which looks after the rail infrastructure, said it was working alongside emergency services.

"It is too early to confirm the exact nature and severity of the incident and more details will be made available once known," it said.

Local MP Andrew Bowie said a "major emergency service response" was underway and he had spoken to the British transport minister, Grant Shapps, about the incident.

"Thoughts with every single person involved," tweeted Bowie.

Thunderstorms and torrential rain had battered parts of central and eastern Scotland overnight.