Three people have died and six people have been taken to hospital after a ScotRail passenger train derailed near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday morning.

Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, said there were "early reports of serious injuries" at the site of the accident and a major incident has been declared.

British Transport Police have now said three people were pronounced dead at the scene and six more have been taken to hospital.

Rail industry sources said the suspected cause of the incident is a landslip, following heavy rain in the area overnight.

The train involved was the 06.38 Aberdeen to Stonehaven, made up of a locomotive and four carriages.

It is understood that the locomotive and three carriages derailed, and slid down an embankment.

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, said he was "saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire" and  thanked emergency services at the scene.

Photos show at least seven ambulances, an air ambulance and police in attendance, and smoke rising from the train.

Emergency services were called just before 10am and around 30 emergency service vehicles are now reportedly at the scene.

(With input from agencies?