A MAN has been arrested for suspected road traffic offences following a serious collision that has left the M8 closed for over eight hours.
The motorway has been closed between junctions 12 at Cumberland Road in Glasgow, and junction 13.
Police were called out to the incident at around 11.50 between a lorry, car and a van.
A picture released by Traffic Scotland showed a heavy articulated lorry jack-knifed across the central reservation.
Officers have now confirmed that a 25-year-old male van driver has been arrested who was involved in the crash.
Two people were taken to hospital, including, a 51-year-old male who was the driver of the lorry but has since been discharged, and the 33-year-old female car driver was also taken to hospital.
In the latest update from Traffic Scotland at 19.35, the M8 remained closed between J12 - J13 westbound.
J10 and J11 on slips also closed and traffic is backing up to J10. While lanes 3,4 and 5 (of 5) remain closed eastbound.
The M80 is also closed southbound to assist with recovery.
UPDATE ❗️⌚︎19:35#M8 CLOSED⛔️
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) January 21, 2022
J12 - J13 remains closed W/B due to RTC
J10 and J11 on slips also CLOSED
Queues to J10
Lanes 3,4 and 5 (of 5) remain closed E/B#M80 CLOSED S/B to assist with recovery
Avoid the area if possible #DriveSafe pic.twitter.com/R31cc8FGH6
Drivers have been advised to find alternative routes.
One 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 jackknifed 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, 21 January 2022 police were called to reports of a crash involving a car, a van and a lorry on the M8 westbound near junction 13.
"The 51-year-old male driver of the lorry was taken to hospital and has since been discharged.
"The 33-year old female driver of the car has been taken to hospital and her injuries are not believed to be serious.
"The 25-year-old male driver of the van was uninjured. He has been arrested in connection with suspected road traffic offences and enquiries are ongoing.”
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