A police officer is among three men fighting for their lives after a multi-vehicle crash on the M8 in Glasgow left seven injured.
Three occupants of one car fled the scene near Junction 13 Provan Interchange after the collision at around 1pm on Wednesday.
The crash involved a Mercedes A45 which collided with an unmarked Volvo S90 police car and a Mercedes CLS, which were on the hard shoulder of the eastbound carriageway.
![Emergency services were called to Junction 13 Provan Interchange of the motorway after 1.10pm on Wednesday with the major road closed heading east for drivers.](https://prod.news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/f63bd3f217940ce719bce85af5871106-1721857560.jpeg)
The occupants in the Merdcedes A45 feld the scene after the collision, Police Scotland said.
The force confirmed three men aged 27, 39, and 33, have since been traced.
The Scottish Ambulance Service said it sent three ambulances, trauma and special operations teams and two rapid response units including a critical care paramedic to the scene.
![The eastbound carriageway of the M8 remained closed until after midnight.](https://prod.news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/e9798b5db91d9a164d19bee8c5ffd938-1721858460.jpeg)
Seven men, including two police officers, were taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Hospital staff describe the condition of a 48-year-old police officer, a 43-year-old man, and a 39-year old man as critical.
The condition of a 38-year-old police officer and a 33-year-old man are described as serious. A further man is being treated for minor injuries.
![Emergency services were called to Junction 13 Provan Interchange](https://prod.news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0b8cff5af48a49bd9525db5591094563-1721836764.jpeg)
A 27-year-old man, who is also being treated for minor injuries, has been arrested in connection with road traffic offences.
Drivers were told to avoid the area while the eastbound carriageway remained closed until after midnight for investigations.
The force is urging anyone with information to regarding the crash to come forward.
Chief superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of Road Policing for Police Scotland, said: “The investigation into this serious road crash is ongoing and I would urge anyone who has not already spoken to police to come forward with any information that may assist us.
“I would ask any drivers with dash-cam to please check their footage and contact us if it holds information relevant to this crash.
“Anyone with information is asked to please contact 101 quoting reference number 1672 of July 24.”
Deputy chief constable Jane Connors said: “Our thoughts are very much with our two colleagues, one of whom has been critically injured, and the members of the public also critically injured in this incident.
“The two officers have put themselves in harm’s way carrying out their duties and we are immensely proud of the work they and colleagues do every day to keep communities safe.
“We will provide them and their families all the support they need at this difficult time.”
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