Driver ‘critical’ after rush hour road crash

Man (38) injured after car and van collide on A725

A 38-year-old man was left in a “critical” condition following a serious road crash on the Bellshill Bypass.

At around 6.55am yesterday (December 14) a Citroen Picasso travelling north and a Vauxhall Movano van travelling south collided on the A725 near the Raith Interchange.

The driver of the Picasso was taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where his condition was described as “critical”.

The 44-year-old male van driver sustained injuries to his hand and was taken by ambulance to Monklands District General Hospital for treatment. Staff there described his condition as “stable”.

Police were called at 6.55am to assist with the accident and the A725 (Raithbellshill) road was closed in both directions as emergency services dealt with the crash.

Diversions were put in place there was major congestion and delays across Lanarkshire.

Sgt Joe Mcguckien, Roads Policing Unit, Motherwell, said: “This road was very busy this morning and although we have spoken to a couple of witnesses, we still need more people who saw the crash to come forward.

“Anyone with information can contact the Motherwell Roads Policing Unit on 101.”

Many motorists later took to social media to share their stories.

Jason Tomlinson posted on Facebook: “Hope everyone is ok but travel this road every day and see lorries crash every day, the road is far too narrow now for larger vehicles.”

Claire Bullen-moore said she could see it all from her house and there was a van “on its side across the central reservation and one car facing up the hill towards Bellshill on the wrong side of the road. Ambulances have gone now, police still there and recovery vehicles. Hoping everyone is ok.”

Kenny Granger posted: “Stay in the house, it took me one hour 10 minutes to get to work.”

Eddie Mo said: “Just took about 2hrs to get to work.

“Bad accident on Bellshill bypass, hope everyone involved in it is ok.”

Francis Devine said: “One hr 40 mins from Bellshill to Blantyre this morning. Chaos on the roads.”

Grant Shaw said: “Nearly an hour to get out of Bellshill.”

Matt Mclafferty wrote: “Tannochside, Viewpark, Bellshill, Uddingston all at a standstill.”

Joe Maceachen said: “Poor directional signage little or no floodlighting at roundabouts during hours of darkness and narrow lanes, a recipe for disaster.”

We have spoken to a couple of crash witnesses but we still need more to come forward