Emergency crews called to 12-vehicle crash on motorway - five people taken to hospital

Monday, 16 March 2026 15:13

By Jenness Mitchell, Scotland reporter

Five people - including two children - have been taken to hospital following a 12-vehicle crash which closed part of a major Scottish motorway overnight.

Emergency services were called to the collision on the M73 at about 10.50pm on Sunday, with the northbound road closed between J2 Baillieston Interchange and J2A Gartcosh Interchange.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it initially received a report of a road traffic collision (RTC) involving "approximately 15 vehicles" and mobilised four fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene.

SFRS said the crash involved 11 vehicles, however in an update later on Monday, Police Scotland said it was 12 motors.

Five people were taken to hospital as a precaution, with three others treated and released at the scene.

A spokesperson from the Scottish Ambulance Service told Sky News: "We dispatched six ambulances and two special operations response teams (SORT) to the scene.

"We transported two patients to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, two patients to the Royal Hospital for Children, and one patient to Glasgow Royal Infirmary."

Amey SW Trunk Roads reported it was a "15 vehicle RTC" and advised motorists to avoid the area.

Vehicles were recovered by about 3am on Monday, with police requesting a sweeper to attend to the debris.

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Traffic Scotland later confirmed the road had been cleared and reopened shortly before 4am.

SFRS said crews left the scene "after ensuring the area was made safe".

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 10.50pm on Sunday 15 March, we were called to a report of a crash involving 12 vehicles on the M73 at Gartcosh.

"Emergency services attended and the road was closed. Five people were taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution.

"Recovery was arranged and the road reopened around 3.30am. There is no further police action."

Sky News