A MAN has been killed when he was hit by a van while trying to fix his car on the hard shoulder of a motorway.

Police said the 60-year-old died in the collision with a van on the M74 between Hamilton and Larkhall.

The white Mercedes Sprinter van was travelling north on the road when it collided with a Fiat Punto as it sat at the side of the road. Police said the driver had been attempting to carry out a repair to the front offside wheel at the time.

The 60-year-old man died at the scene while the 57-year-old van driver was not injured.

The accident, between the Canderside and Hamilton junctions, happened at 6.20am yesterday and caused major disruption for commuters.

The motorway was closed northbound between the two junctions as a result.

Thousands of motorists were stuck for hours following the accident.

Tailbacks stretched as far as the B7078 Lesmahagow cut-off while investigators scoured the scene.

One commuter, travelling from Stonehouse to Glasgow, said he had been stuck for more than an hour, describing the scene as "absolute chaos".

Another commuter said he was unable to get out of his housing estate near Stonehouse due to the tailbacks, with cars queuing to get onto the nearest main road.

Police said local diversions were put in place and drivers had been advised to avoid the area if possible.

Many school pupils were affected by the diversions.