Joanne tragedy - police appeal

The incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning when Joanne had been out for post-work drinks and was travelling home in a car with a male driver.

When the young woman began to feel ill, her driver stopped the car and let her out.

However, an argument ensued and Joanne refused to get back into the car and walked off.

The driver lost sight of her and drove further along the motorway checking for his passenger. When he returned to the area where he last saw her, emergency services were already in attendance.

A Central Scotland Police spokeswoman said: “The woman had been for a few drinks after work and was being driven home.

“However the car had stopped on the M80 close to where the M876 merges as she was feeling unwell. She refused to get back into the car following an argument.”

Joanne‘s identity was only officially confirmed on Wednesday, May 11 to give police time to inform her family.

The spokeswoman added on Tuesday: “We are keen to speak to anybody who may have been driving along the M80 between 12.30am and 1.15am on Tuesday, May 10 or who may have seen a silver Vauxhall Astra stopped on the motorway around this time.”

Anyone with information can contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000 or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.