Responding to the awful incident today, where a train was derailed south of Stonehaven, leading to reports of serious injuries to those on board, the Primus, the Most Rev Mark Strange, said:

“We offer our thoughts and prayers for those who have been caught up in the train derailment near Stonehaven. We pray for those who are injured, for those who are struggling with what they have witnessed. We pray for the emergency services and the NHS staff who are working to save lives and to ease pain.

“We pray for local people and for the families of those who were traveling on that train this morning.

“We offer the following prayer for those involved in the situation:

Heavenly Father be with those who are injured, be with those who are waiting for news, be with those who are offering their skills, be with them all as the day moves on and the hours pass by, grant them the strength to do what is needed and the compassion to care for those hurting in body, mind and spirit.

Heavenly Father send your healing spirit over them all, in Christ’s name. Amen.