Here's everything we know about today's fatal M8 crash as eastbound route reopens

As reported earlier, a woman has died following an accident on the M8.

The westbound road remains closed after a crash happened on the eastbound carriageway at Shotts, North Lanarkshire, just after 4am on Friday.

As of 8pm on Friday, the M8 eastbound has reopened.

The female was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The road was closed in both directions between junction four and five for a police investigation.

The closure caused long tailbacks throughout the day.

Read more - M8 crash: commuters face three hour delay on Scotland's busiest motorway following serious accident

Traffic queuing up on the M8 stretching back to Newhouse following an accident between J4a and J5, and a separate accident at J6 picture: Traffic Scotland.

Earlier today, we reported that frustrated drivers were seen doing three point turns in the middle of the motorway and escaping down the nearest hard shoulder to avoid the delays.

Chief Inspector Darren Faulds said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the person who sadly lost their life in this incident.

“We understand that closing a major route has caused significant disruption to motorists, and we thank them for their patience while we continue to respond to this serious incident.

“I would ask any driver using the M8 in the early hours of this morning who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have dashcam footage of the incident, to contact police.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director