CRASH DRIVER DIES IN M-WAY MAYHEM
BY SARAH VESTY A WOMAN has died after a horror crash on the M8 in the early hours of yesterday.
Emergency services raced to the scene between Shotts in Lanarkshire and Whitburn in West Lothian after reports of a smash on the westbound carriageway.
Police quickly closed down the entire section of the road, sparking traffic chaos.
Officers have now confirmed that one woman lost their life in the incident.
Chief Inspector Darren Faulds said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the person who sadly lost their life in this incident.
“We understand that closing this major route has caused significant disruption to motorists, and we thank them for their patience while we continue to respond to this serious incident.
“I would ask any driver using the M8 in the early hours of this morning who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have dash cam footage of the incident, to contact police.”
A Police Scotland statement added: “Of ficers were in attendance on the M8 near junction 5 at Shotts following a road traffic incident.
“Police were called to the scene at 4.05am.
“The road is currently closed in both directions between Junction 4 and Junction 5.
“Emergency services remain at the scene and drivers are asked to avoid the area, where possible.” Motorists on the M8 later spotted a crazed driver reversing into oncoming traffic in a bid to avoid the tailbacks caused by the crash.
The chancer, who was captured on video, appeared determined not to get stuck in the long queues.
Witness Derek Speirs, from Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the silver Fiat Punto reversing into traffic on the busy A73 at the M8 Airdrie junction at about 9.20am.
Landscaper Derek had been stuck on the road for nearly two hours by that time.
The 40- year- old said: “I couldn’t believe it when I realised what the person was actually doing.
“I honestly thought there was going to be another accident.
What an eejit.” Derek added that there was no sign of the traffic clearing at that time.
He said: “We’re at a total standstill. My engine has been off for hours.
“It doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere any time soon.”
A second collision closed another section of the M8 near Eurocentral shortly before 8am, with more drivers delayed for up to three hours in long traffic jams.
A road traffic management truck was left completely destroyed after hitting the back of an HGV belonging to TNT.
Emergency services arriving at the scene found the front end of the vehicle and windscreen were smashed in.
The road between Junction 6a and 4a remained closed yesterday but it was not known if anyone has been injured in the smash.
Anyone with information about the Shotts accident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0355 of October 2.