One person hospitalised after lorry crashes onto railway near Gretna

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a road traffic offence after an HGV came off the motorway and crashed onto the railway near Gretna.

The incident was reported around 8am on Friday 13 December, and one person was taken to hospital by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Train services between Glasgow Central and Carlisle via Dumfries have been disrupted after the incident close to Junction 22 on the A74(M).

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The A74(M) southbound near Gretna is now down to one lane and the slip road for junction 22 closed to allow for the recovery of a lorry following an earlier crash."

They added: "Motorists are thanked for their patience".

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent four appliances and a specialist unit, while the ambulance service sent an ambulance and a paramedic response unit.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said that one person has been taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

ScotRail is warning services are likely to be disrupted for the remainder of the day, with services starting and terminating at Dumfries.

Passengers planning to travel with the operator can use valid tickets on Avanti West Coast and Transpenine Express services between Glasgow, Lockerbie, and Carlisle.

Customer Operations Director Phil Campbell said: “ScotRail services between Glasgow Central and Carlisle via Dumfries are currently disrupted following an incident between Gretna and Carlisle.

“To keep people moving, customers with valid train tickets can travel on alternative routes where possible, with replacement buses also in operation. Anyone delayed by 30 minutes or more can claim compensation through our Delay Repay Guarantee.”

Network Rail said that West Coast Main Line services are not affected by the incident.

In a statement it said: "Our teams remain on site and are supporting our partners to reopen the line as soon as it is safe to do so."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were alerted at 7.57am on Friday, 13 December, to reports of a lorry which came off the road on the M74, near to Junction 22 at Springfield, Gretna.

"Operations Control mobilised four appliances and special resources to the scene, where crews assisted emergency partners with the recovery of a lorry which was affecting the railway line.

"One casualty was taken into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and transported to hospital.

"Crews remained at the scene until 9.56am to make sure the area was made safe."

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.