Man charged after lorry crashes onto railway line

Emergency services rushed to the scene near Gretna this morning after the alarm was raised. The HGV had come off the M74 motorway at Junction 22, heading southbound, and veered down a steep banking onto the railway line, around 500 yards west of Gretna Station. Train services between Carlisle, Gretna, Annan and Dumfries were quickly halted.

Over the course of the day a recovery operation has taken place. And the lorry has now successfully been pulled off the train tracks. However, it is unlikely trains will resume today and alternative arrangements have been put in place by ScotRail.

An update from Police Scotland Dumfries and Galloway this afternoon 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. "The incident was reported around 8 am. A man was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary as a precaution.

"The man has been charged in connection with a road traffic offence. Motorists are thanked for their patience." A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service earlier said: "We were alerted at 7.57 am on Friday 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 9.56 am to make sure the area was made safe."