Five people have escaped serious injury after a lorry crashed onto the railway line in Newburgh, causing disruption to services between Fife and Perth.
Network Rail says emergency crews are attending the incident at Newburgh, with journeys north from Fife disrupted as a result of the crash.
ScotRail confirmed that the line remained closed at 8:30pm, with the removal of the lorry proving more difficult than was first thought.
British Transport Police (BTP) said five people involved in the incident were “walking wounded”, with no one seriously injured.
The incident is not affecting services to or from Dundee and Aberdeen via the Tay Bridge, but services between Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness are impacted.
Police Scotland confirmed a lorry is involved in the incident.
Five people ‘walking wounded’ after Fife crash
A BTP spokeswoman told The Courier: “Officers were called to the line in Lindores at 2.18pm this afternoon following reports that a vehicle had slid down an embankment, close to the tracks.
“Five people are believed to be walking wounded. Officers are currently in the process of responding alongside emergency service colleagues.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman confirmed three fire engines and a heavy rescue unit were in attendance.
Operations control immediately mobilised three fire engines and a heavy rescue unit to the scene
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
He said: “We were alerted at 2.18pm on Monday, November 15, to reports of a vehicle on the railway embankment near the B937 south of Cupar.
“Operations control immediately mobilised three fire engines and a heavy rescue unit to the scene where they are working alongside emergency service partners.”
Customers urged to travel via Stirling
A ScotRail spokesman said: “We’re currently unable to run trains between Ladybank and Perth due to a road accident near the railway in the Newburgh area of Fife.
“Customers travelling north can use their tickets on services via Stirling.
“Anyone delayed by 30 minutes or more can claim money back through our Delay Repay Guarantee. Just keep hold of your ticket and claim on our website or mobile app.”
NEW: The line between Ladybank & Perth is closed following a road accident near the railway.
This doesn't affect our services to/from Aberdeen, but it does impact trains between Edinburgh, Perth & Inverness.
If you can, please travel via Stirling. ^Angushttps://t.co/yIdEQCfhPz
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) November 15, 2021
The operator says it is aiming to run a bus shuttle service between Inverkeithing and Perth, but in the meantime passengers can use tickets or smartcards on Stagecoach buses in Fife.
Posting on Twitter, Network Rail said: “Our staff are responding to reports of a road vehicle on the railway between Ladybank and Perth.
“We’ve closed the line while the emergency services attend and the vehicle is removed.”
They added: “The recovery of the vehicle from the embankment above the railway between Ladybank and Perth is going to be a bit more complex than first envisaged.
“We’re working alongside the emergency services to complete this as safely as possible.”
The Courier understands it is hoped the lorry will be recovered this evening, allowing the line to reopen on Tuesday morning.