JUST IN: Several people rushed to hospital, including two children, after a hσ:rrific 15-vehicle pile-up on the M73 motorway near Gartcosh, as police issue a MAJOR update on the crɑsh in North Lanarkshire

Five people have been taken to hospital following a 15-vehicle crash that temporarily closed a stretch of motorway. The incident unfolded at 11.30pm on Sunday on the M73 between J2 Baillieston Interchange and J2A Gartcosh Interchange. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire appliances and a heavy rescue unit to the scene.

The Scottish Ambulance Service also sent six ambulances and two special operations response teams (SORT) to the scene. Medics took two patients to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, two patients to the city’s Royal Hospital for Children, and one patient to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Another three were treated and released at the scene.

The road was closed northbound between J2 Gartcosh and J3 while emergency services dealt with the incident in Lanarkshire. It reopened just before 4am on Monday, Traffic Scotland said.

A spokesperson from the Scottish Ambulance Service told Sky News: “We received a call at 11.21pm on Sunday 15 March to attend a multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the M73 at Junction 2A.

“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 said it was a “15 vehicle RTC” and advised motorists to avoid the area.

Police requested a sweeper to clear the debris, and the vehicles were recovered by about 3am on Monday. The road was cleared and reopened shortly before 4am, Traffic Scotland confirmed.