Hunt for vehicle that struck A77 overpass causing seven-hour road closure

A search has been launched for the driver of a vehicle which struck an overpass near Kilmarnock, causing bricks and rubble to fall onto the carriageway.

The vehicle hit the overpass at Treeswoodhead Road on the A77, south of the Bellfield Interchange, around 2pm on Wednesday.

The impact caused rubble and bricks to fall onto the carriageways, forcing drivers to take evasive action.

Emergency services were called to the scene and a full road closure was put in place.

The southbound carriageway remained closed for over seven hours to allow for structural engineers to assess the damaged bridge.

No injuries were reported, and police are now searching for the vehicle, which failed to stop.

Sergeant Brian Simpson said: “This vehicle has been travelling south when it, or its load, has collided with the underside of the bridge.

“This has caused damage to the structure and caused debris to fall, with other motorists having to take evasive action.

“The vehicle may have been carrying a high-sided load, but it will have felt the contact with the bridge. It is imperative that we trace this vehicle and the driver.

“I’d ask anyone who was on the A77 yesterday afternoon, travelling south, or who saw what happened, to provide any relevant dash-cam footage or information as soon as possible.”

Those with information are urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 1748 of January 7, 2026.