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A 38-year-old man is in a critical condition after a crash on the A725 in North Lanarkshire.

The accident, involving a northbound Citroen Picasso and a Vauxhall Movano van travelling south, happened just before 07:00 on the Bellshill bypass.

The critically-injured car driver was taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

The 44-year-old male van driver was taken to Monklands Hospital where he was treated for a hand injury.

Police Scotland have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

Sgt Joe McGuckien, of the roads policing unit in Motherwell, said: "This road was very busy this morning and although we have spoken to a couple of witnesses, we still need more people who saw the crash to come forward."

The A725, between Bellziehill Roundabout and the Raith Interchange, remained closed in both directions while officers carried out inquiries.

Local diversions were put in place, and drivers have been asked to avoid the area.