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Motorway open after major crash Motorway open after major crash
(2 days later)
A 35-year-old man has died and seven people were taken to hospital after a series of crashes which closed the M8 in West Lothian for seven hours.A 35-year-old man has died and seven people were taken to hospital after a series of crashes which closed the M8 in West Lothian for seven hours.
A four-mile stretch of motorway between junctions 3 and 3a, near Livingston, reopened at about 1300 GMT.A four-mile stretch of motorway between junctions 3 and 3a, near Livingston, reopened at about 1300 GMT.
The motorway had been closed since 0610 GMT due to a series of crashes, involving eight vehicles.The motorway had been closed since 0610 GMT due to a series of crashes, involving eight vehicles.
It appears the man was killed when he was hit by a car as he exchanged details following an earlier accident.It appears the man was killed when he was hit by a car as he exchanged details following an earlier accident.
Wrong wayWrong way
Seven other people were injured, including two seriously, in a chain of collisions that brought gridlock to the area.Seven other people were injured, including two seriously, in a chain of collisions that brought gridlock to the area.
The crashes closed the motorway, which connects Edinburgh and Glasgow, in both directions during the busy morning rush-hour.The crashes closed the motorway, which connects Edinburgh and Glasgow, in both directions during the busy morning rush-hour.
Some motorists were stuck in tailbacks for more than four hours.
It was 1030 GMT before police escorted vehicles out of the westbound queue.It was 1030 GMT before police escorted vehicles out of the westbound queue.
Cars were allowed to turn around and drive the wrong way down the carriageway to get clear of the scene.Cars were allowed to turn around and drive the wrong way down the carriageway to get clear of the scene.
The crash caused major tailbacks in the areaThe crash caused major tailbacks in the area
One driver, who was stuck for almost four hours without moving, said: "It has been an absolute nightmare. I did not even have my engine switched on since about 7am until we started to move just before 11. One driver said he was stuck for almost four hours without moving. He said he switched off his engine at 0700 GMT and was only in a position to restart it at 1100 GMT.
"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 was nowhere for me to go."
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.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.
Police said investigations into the cause of the crash were continuing and a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.Police said investigations into the cause of the crash were continuing and a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.
Inspector Dave Wilson of Lothian and Borders Police said: "The driver of a van has been involved in a minor accident.Inspector Dave Wilson of Lothian and Borders Police said: "The driver of a van has been involved in a minor accident.
"He and the other driver have been standing on the road way - presumably exchanging details - when he has been struck by one of the other vehicles which has been approaching westbound.""He and the other driver have been standing on the road way - presumably exchanging details - when he has been struck by one of the other vehicles which has been approaching westbound."