Mystery over death of woman that closed M8 for 15 hours

Police are trying to work out how a woman was knocked down and killed on the M8 after her own car crashed.

Lynda Mudd, 51, died on the westbound carriageway near the Shotts off-slip at J5 in North Lanarkshire at around 4.05am on Friday.

Police were initially alerted to a one-vehicle crash involving Ms Mudd’s red Vauxhall Corsa close to J5 on the M8 eastbound.

On arrival to move the car, officers found it empty, damaged and in a dangerous position on the motorway.

Police then received a report of a woman on the westbound carriageway near the Shotts off-slip.

Ms Mudd, from Chapelhall near Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, was then hit by a vehicle and died at the scene.

The M8 was closed in both directions between J4 and J5 from 6am until 9.40pm for investigation works.

Chief inspector Darren Faulds said: “This is a distressing incident and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“Lynda was hit by a vehicle around the time she was seen on the westbound carriageway just after 4.05am near the Shotts off-slip.

“Various drivers have contacted us already who were travelling on the road at that time and I would encourage anyone else who hasn’t to please get in touch.”

Chief inspector Faulds said officers are trying to build a picture of what happened to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

He added: “This is a complex investigation and we would like to thank the public for their patience on Friday while the road remained closed for over 15 hours.

“Anyone who has any information about this incident, was travelling on the M8 near Shotts around 4.05am on Friday or has dashcam footage from that area, please contact us.”

If you have any information, call 101.