Stranded M80 driver surprises local man who brought him pizza

Barry Currie (left) was thanked by stranded driver Ryan Hagan

A driver stuck in the snow on a gridlocked M80 has surprised a good Samaritan who helped him and dozens of others.

Ryan Hagan was stranded in his car on the motorway for nine hours on Wednesday night after travel ground to a standstill.

A selfless local man cooked up everything in his fridge and took it to the grateful drivers.

Ryan joined BBC Scotland's Jackie Bird to surprise Barry Currie.

About 1,000 vehicles were stranded on the motorway overnight, with 300 still there on Thursday morning.

Jackie Bird took Ryan to meet Barry

Ryan told Jackie how people had come out to make sure that those stranded in their cars were okay.

"The cars and lorries were gridlocked, the snow was getting deeper and deeper and we had no idea what was going on," he said.

"Then this guy appeared and gave us slices of pizza to keep us going."

Jackie told Ryan his hero lived just two miles away and took him along to show his appreciation.

When they met, Ryan told Barry: "Thank you so much, you were all fantastic."

Barry, from Condorrat, explained why he had decided to help out.

"About eight years ago, I had to walk 13 miles from work in Glasgow to here in the snow and it took me eight hours," he said.

"I knew people would be struggling, I knew it was going to be a hard one for people down there.

"So I just had a look in my fridge to see what I had. I took pizzas and Irn Bru and had my mum and dad make sandwiches and I grabbed some biscuits."

John Gent has been stranded on the motorway since 20:00 on Wednesday

Another driver stranded in the heavy snow praised those who offered hot drinks and blankets to motorists.

John Gent was trying to drive home to Plymouth when he got stuck on the M80 at Stirling on Wednesday.

He told BBC News that local people had set up a station on a nearby flyover bridge.

He said: "Fortunately the people on the neighbouring estates have been bringing over bottles of water.

"There's a motorway bridge about 400 metres away from me and they've set up a little area there where they're making teas and coffees for people.

"They were knocking on windows and asking if everyone was all right and handing out blankets and teas and coffees and stuff.

"It's nice to know they're thinking of us stuck here when they're in their warm homes."