Police name HGV driver killed in motorway crash at border

Costica Balan had lived in the UK for 16 years

A 63-year-old man who died in a crash which closed both sides of the main road between Scotland and England has been named.

Costica Balan, an HGV driver from Spalding in Lincolnshire, died at the scene of the collision near Gretna, early on Thursday morning.

It led to the closure of both the A74(M) and M6 motorways for more than 12 hours.

His family described him as a "beloved husband and father who will be dearly missed by everyone".

Cumbria Police said Mr Balan was Romanian and had lived in the UK for the past 16 years.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Cumbria Police online or by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.