A COWDENBEATH man was killed when his motorcycle left the road on the M74 on Sunday.

Police Scotland has been appealing for information after 50 year-old Billy McCracken died on the M74 at Happendon junction.

Police Scotland's Lanarkshire Division reported that around 3.45 pm on Sunday a Harley Davidson motorcycle was being driven northbound on the M74 near to Uddington when it left the road and collided with the central reservation.

Their statement said: "Emergency services attended and the 50 year-old driver was taken to Wishaw General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The man can be named as Billy McCracken from Cowdenbeath".

Sergeant Jonny Edgar, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have seen this motorcycle being driven on the M74, or indeed seen the collision take place.

“You may also have dash-cam footage from around that time and we would ask you to check back and come forward with it. It could hold the key piece of information that will help us establish exactly what happened.”

Mr McCracken was involved with the Fife Dog Rescue and Rehoming Centre and the Centre posted a tribute to him on their Facebook page: "We at the rescue are in mourning. We have sadly lost one of our own. R.I.P Billy xx Ride with the Angels xx Your friendship will be very much missed.xx".