M8 crash: Tributes paid to three men who died

Manveer Benning, David Paton and Mark Downie have been named locally as the victims of the tragic incident, which took place on the westbound carriageway of the M8 motorway in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Emergency services were called to the one-vehicle crash near Junction 31, between Bishopton and Langbank, at around 5.05am after a blue Audi Q7 left the road.

Manveer Benning

Police said two men, both aged 27, and one man, aged 31, were pronounced dead at the scene and their families had been informed.

Five other men were taken to hospital for treatment of serious but non-life threatening injuries.

It is understood the Audi Q7 was found overturned in a ditch, with the westbound carriageway being closed off by police as a probe of the crash site got underway.

David Paton

Police later confirmed that a 35-year-old had been arrested in connection with road traffic offences following the incident.

Hundreds of people have now offered their condolences on social media to friends and family of the three men who lost their lives.

Sarah Hunter wrote: "RIP boys and deepest condolences to the families. This has rocked Greenock and the wider community."

Mark Downie

Cheryll Coyle commented: "Thoughts go out to each and everyone of there families, I've known all the lads for years, heartbreaking."

Louise Primrose added: "I saw the screens shielding the accident scene and my heart sank knowing that it was likely a fatality. Rest in peace lads."

An investigation into the fatal crash is continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 0860 of September 19.