Van driver airlifted to hospital

A 40-year-old van driver was airlifted to hospital with serious leg injuries after his vehicle skidded off an icy road near Strathaven.

Police and emergency services were called after a road traffic accident was reported on the B743 near Strathaven last Thursday morning.

The man had to be cut free from his van by firefighters with crews from Strathaven and Lanark in attendance.

He was then airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

PC Ian Peebles, from the safer communities team in East Kilbride, said: “The male driver sustained serious injuries but none of which were lifethreatening.

“The recent change in inclement weather has proven to be challenging for most drivers and all efforts should be taken to ensure that speed regulations are adhered to, along with consideration for weather conditions.”

East Kilbride fire chief Eddie Kelly said: “The road conditions were particularly treacherous and we were called to assist with an incident which involved a van leaving the road.

“The casualty had an open fracture on his femur and breaks in his lower leg as well as a suspected pelvic fracture.

“Firefighters used hydraulic cutting equipment to help the ambulance crew and trauma team extricate the man from the vehicle and further assisted by cutting a hole in a fence so he could be taken to the waiting helicopter.”