Seven hurt in M74 pile-up horror

Apr 30 2008

TWO adults and three children remain in hospital following Sunday’s horror smash on the M74.

Five cars were involved in the crash that closed the north-bound carriageway for eight hours.

Ambulances and a helicopter were used to convey the seven injured to Wishaw, Hairmyres and Glasgow Southern General hospitals.

Two were released but five remain in a serious but stable condition.

The children are aged six, eight and 12.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Chief Inspector Donna Henderson, head of road policing at Motherwell, appealed for witnesses to the accident.

It happened about 6.20pm as traffic was approaching the roadworks that had been in place between Raith Interchange and Maryville for seven weeks.

Most of the restrictions arising from the roadworks were removed next morning.

The cars involved were a BMW, Mazda, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Passat, and Citroen Saxo.

Firefighters used cutting equipment to free two injured, and a woman suffering from severe abdominal injuries was taken by air ambulance to Southern General.

CI Henderson said the smash completely blocked the carriageway.

Diversions had to be put in place.

She added: “Inquiries are ongoing into the cause of the accident, and we would appeal for any witnesses to come forward.”

As emergency services staff were dealing with the accident, another occurred opposite on the south-bound carriageway.

Four cars were involved and a mother and baby suffered slight injuries. They were detained at Wishaw General as a precaution.

The south-bound carriageway was closed for one hour.

Hamilton businessman Edward McKenna, who lives in Quarter, was stuck on the south-bound carriageway for 90 minutes.

He said: “One car was lying in bits on the north-bound side, having been cut up by the Fire Service, and the carriageway was completely blocked.

“Then, directly opposite, there was a crash on the south-bound side probably caused by rubber neckers.

“You also had south-bound cars turning round and going back along the hard shoulder to the Raith Interchange.

“ It was really pandemonium.”

l Information about the north-bound accident to sergeant Alastair Lewis, telephone 01698 483149.