A lorry driver died after he was hit by a passing tanker on the side of the motorway during rush hour.

The 47-year-old driver of the rigid lorry was struck by a passing tanker as he adjusted straps on his vehicle on the hard shoulder near to junction seven of the M74 southbound at around 7am on Wednesday.

He was taken by ambulance to Wishaw General but died as short time later. The 43-year-old driver of the tanker was not injured.

Sergeant Alex Andrews, road policing department, said: "The driver had just got out of his cab to tend to straps on the lorry that had become loose when he was hit by the tanker.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, especially the occupants of a white van who may hold vital information."

The southbound carriageway was closed between junctions six and seven for around five hours.

Traffic was being diverted off the M74 at junction six and redirected through Hamilton to the A72 Carlisle Road, A71 Ayr Road to return to the M74 at junction eight Canderside.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Govan Police Office on 0141 532 6400.