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Major crash closes M8 both ways Major crash closes M8 both ways
(about 1 hour later)
A fatal accident involving eight vehicles has closed the M8 motorway in both directions in West Lothian, causing massive tailbacks. One man has died and seven people were taken to hospital after a crash which closed the M8 motorway in West Lothian in both directions.
The pile-up, between junctions 3 and 3a near Livingston, originated westbound at about 0610 GMT, although both sides of the carriageway are affected. The motorway remains closed between junctions 3 and 3a, near Livingston, following the pile-up involving eight vehicles at about 0610 GMT.
Drivers stuck on the motorway were taken off by police at about 1030 GMT.
The crash was first reported when a van was spotted on the hard shoulder with smoke coming out of it.
At the scene of the crash, a badly damaged Vauxhall car was blocking the westbound carriageway while a Ford Fiesta van could been seen on the opposite side of the road.
Wrong way
Several other cars were scattered on the carriageway as police accident investigators carried out their work.
Police started to escort vehicles out of the westbound queue at about 1030 GMT.
Cars were allowed to turn around and drive the wrong way down the carriageway to get clear of the scene.
The ambulance service said one person had died and two others had serious or traumatic injuries.The ambulance service said one person had died and two others had serious or traumatic injuries.
They described four other people as walking wounded and one was "in shock".They described four other people as walking wounded and one was "in shock".
Five more people were being looked after by police at the scene.
Casualties were taken to St John's hospital in Livingston and the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.Casualties were taken to St John's hospital in Livingston and the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh.
The crash was first reported when a van was spotted on the hard shoulder with smoke coming out of it.
Motorists attempting to travel eastbound on the M8 were still stuck in thegridlock at 1000 GMT - four hours after the crash happened.
At one stage, police officers spoke to drivers and told them therewere plans to start clearing the jam from the back but there was no movement.
Police want to hear from anyone who hit the crash debrisPolice want to hear from anyone who hit the crash debris
Roads around the Livingston area were also subject to lengthy delays asvehicles were diverted away from the motorway. Roads around the Livingston area were also subject to lengthy delays as vehicles were diverted away from the motorway.
One driver, who had not moved an inch for about three hours, said: "It hasbeen an absolute nightmare. I have not even had my engine switched on since about 7am. At about 1000 GMT, one driver, who had not moved an inch for about three hours, said: "It has been an absolute nightmare. I have not even had my engine switched on since about 7am.
"It is so frustrating, because if I had been a bit earlier I would have missedit completely and if I was a bit later I would have been able to take adifferent route. "It is so frustrating, because if I had been a bit earlier I would have missed it completely and if I was a bit later I would have been able to take a different route.
"But it is just bad luck that I hit it when I did and there is nowhere for meto go." "But it is just bad luck that I hit it when I did and there is nowhere for me to go."
Police at the scene have put out an appeal for anyone who may have hit any of the debris from the crash to contact them on 0131 311 3418. Police at the scene put out an appeal for anyone who may have hit any of the debris from the crash to contact them on 0131 311 3418.
They also want to hear from the drivers of any vehicles which were involved in the accident but who then carried on with their journey.They also want to hear from the drivers of any vehicles which were involved in the accident but who then carried on with their journey.