EMERGENCY services are on scene after a lorry appears to have crashed into a barrier on one of Scotland's busiest motorways.
Images published by Traffic Scotland show the vehicle spread across both directions of the motorway. The lorry has also crashed into another vehicle.
Following the incident, the M8 is closed Westbound but one lane of the M80 slip road remains open.
The M80 is also closed Southbound at the M8 slip to aid in the recovery of the vehicles involved in the crash.
An eyewitness said: “It was the worst traffic accident I have ever seen. The traffic was completely gridlocked on the M8, I was driving up and saw a massive lorry had jack-knifed and went over the central reservation and crashed right into the gantry sign.
"A fire engine and numerous police vehicles were there.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 11.50am on Friday, January 21 police were called to reports of a two-vehicle crash on the M8 westbound near junction 13.
"Officers are at the scene and the westbound carriageway is closed. One lane of the M80 slip road remains open.
"Enquiries are ongoing. Drivers are urged to use alternative routes."
UPDATE❗️ ⌚️16:00#M8 CLOSED⛔️
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 21, 2022
The M8 is still CLOSED W/B J12 to J13 due to an RTC.
Please #UseAltRoute in the meantime.
Queues to J8
Lanes 3,4 and 5 (of 5) remain closed E/B#M80 now CLOSED S/B to assist with recovery
Do give yourself plenty travel time@SWTrunkRoads pic.twitter.com/h1JXRHfWL2
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here