diff --git a/src/saveload/afterload.cpp b/src/saveload/afterload.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/afterload.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/afterload.cpp
@@ -1900,6 +1900,7 @@ bool AfterLoadGame()
 	}
 
 	if (IsSavegameVersionBefore(SLV_62)) {
+		GroupStatistics::UpdateAfterLoad(); // Ensure statistics pool is initialised before trying to delete vehicles
 		/* Remove all trams from savegames without tram support.
 		 * There would be trams without tram track under causing crashes sooner or later. */
 		RoadVehicle *v;