Man airlifted after minibus hits trees next to M8

• Minibus crashed into trees at around 6:50am

• Crash took place just past Shotts junction on eastbound carriageway of M8

A minibus carrying ten people left the eastbound carriageway near Harthill services and smashed into trees at the side of the road at around 6:50am.

Both lanes of the busy motorway were closed at Harthill while a helicopter was sent to the scene.

One seriously injured male passenger was airlifted to the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, while four were taken to nearby Wishaw General Hospital and three to Monklands Hospital, both in Lanarkshire.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and Strathclyde Police will launch an investigation into its cause.

The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed a male passenger was airlifted to the Southern General but could not give any update on his condition, or the condition of the other seven casualties.

The westbound carriageway was re-opened fully soon after, while one lane on the eastbound carriageway also

re-opened.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: “At around 6:50am, a minibus is believed to have left the carriageway and crashed into trees on the M8 at Shotts.

“One person was taken by Helimed to the Southern General Hospital, while four were taken by ambulance to Wishaw General Hospital and three to Monklands Hospital.

“To allow the air ambulance to land and take off, the road was closed east and westbound.”

In a separate incident yesterday, three cars were involved in a collision on the M8 near Blochairn, Glasgow, at around 9:05am.

Police described the collision as a “minor road traffic crash” and said no injuries had been reported.