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MEDICS battle to save a kneecapping victim by the side of a busy road.

Our dramatic picture shows the scene minutes after emergency services were called to the suspected gangland hit in East Kilbride.

The 45-year-old victim – dressed in a white forensic suit – is believed to have been held for two days before being blasted in the kneecaps.

He was thrown down an embankment and found lying in agony by a dog walker.

The woman said he told her he had been held by his captors for two days before being driven to the spot on a country lane where he was shot.

The horrifying hit took place in daylight and exclusive video obtained by the Record shows members of the public watching as the man is taken away.

The alarm was raised at about 12.15pm yesterday.

Police, who described the shooting as a “targeted attack”, swamped the area with armed officers, supported by a helicopter and mobile patrols. But the gunmen slipped the net.

A friend of the dog walker said: “She came across the guy lying on the embankment, and he told her he’d been shot after being kidnapped and held for two days.

“He was wearing one of those white paper forensic-style suits.

“The gang had taken his clothes and dressed him in it before dumping and shooting him. It’s like they wanted to remove as much evidence linking them to the crime.”

The video footage was filmed moments after police and paramedics arrived at the scene in the Stewartfield area.

It shows the man being carried down the grass verge on a stretcher by around six police and paramedics.

The victim is then lifted on to an ambulance bed and medics work on him at the roadside. Passing motorists can be seen slowing down to stare at the drama.

Dozens of police began sealing off the area with tape before the victim was taken to Hairmyres Hospital.

His condition was described as stable last night.

One witness across the road from the scene said: “I was just waking up after a night shift and I looked out the back window to see this developing.

“The paramedics and the police were turning up and the guy was lying there apparently lifeless.

“There were a few people looking pretty stunned who were watching. I’d imagine that it was one of them who had called 999.”

Police are understood to be investigating the theory that the victim was driven to a dead end country lane before being thrown down the embankment, which leads down to a main road close to Stewartfield Crescent.

A woman who passed the victim lying on the embankment said: “I was driving by and saw a man lying motionless on the grass embankment.

“Two cars in front of me stopped to go to his aid so I drove away.

“I got a bit of a shock. It’s alarming to think something like this could happen here.”

Dozens of police and forensic staff were at the scene until late into the evening.

Detective Inspector David Scott said: “I would like to reassure people that our inquiries carried out so far lead us to believe this was a targeted attack. Detectives are in the process of gathering CCTV images from in and around the area and house-to-house inquiries are ongoing.

“I am appealing to anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency.”

Chief Inspector Mark Leonard said: “I know people will be shocked when they hear of this incident but I would like to reassure them that I have arranged for additional officers to be in the area.

“Many people will be concerned but we are doing everything we can to locate those responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at East Kilbride police office on the non-emergency number 101. Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.