Road death - Lesmahagow
The RHA has been asked by Police Scotland to send out this appeal for information concerning the recent death of a young man found in the road near Lesmahagow on Monday. Police Scotland would like to stress that they are appealing for witnesses and information that will help them ascertain how this incident occurred and are not looking for a particular person or vehicle at this stage. Inspector Calum Maider form Police Scotland has issued the following statement:
On the 23rd September there was a closure of the northbound M74 at junction 10 and as a result all northbound vehicles were diverted off the motorway onto the B7078 and through the village of Blackwood, re-joining the northbound M74 at junction 8.
Officers from the Divisional Road Policing Unit at Motherwell are appealing for witnesses after the body of a 22 year old man was found on the B7078 in Lesmahagow on Monday 23
September 2013.
"We have now confirmed that Mr Finlayson left a friend’s home in Lesmahagow around 0310 hours on Monday morning and intended to walk home. Shortly after 0410 hours a member of the public reported seeing a man on the overhead bridge of the M74 between junctions 10 and 11 but we cannot say whether it was Mr Finlayson. About 0410hrs the male was seen on the roadway near to the northbound carriageway of the B7078. At 0435 hours police received a report of the body of a man lying on the B7078 Carlisle Road, Lesmahagow near to junction 10 of the M74 approximately half a mile north of Blackwood.
Extensive enquiries are on-going to establish what occurred however at this time we believe that he may have been struck by a motor vehicle. Neither the driver nor vehicle has been traced. I would therefore appeal to anyone who was in the area of the B7078 any time after 0300 hours on Monday morning and saw a pedestrian on the road or walking in the area to come forward. I would particularly like to speak to all motorists travelling that route as they may have seen something that is important to our investigation. It is possible that Mr Finlayson could have been struck by a vehicle and the driver unaware. Especially if it was a large vehicle, possibly an HGV. I would therefore urge any motorist who was on the B7078 on Monday morning to get in touch.
Finally, I would ask that if the person on the bridge was not Mr Finlayson to come forward as he may have seen something relevant.”
Any person with information is asked to contact Inspector Maiders’ team at the Road Policing Unit, Motherwell on 01698 483 045 / 043.
