A hospital was placed under lockdown for nearly three hours as police dealt with a ‘serious incident’ in the grounds and two others in the area.
Eye-witnesses have reported a member of staff at University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock was stabbed, although this has not been confirmed by police.
No one was allowed in or out of the hospital after the attack at around 7.45pm last night.
A second incident – reported to be another stabbing – took place shortly afterwards on Portland Street in the city centre.
There was then a car crash on the A76 at around 8.30pm, which police believe is also linked.
Police have said all three incidents were ‘potentially linked’ but are not being treated as terror related.
A witness told the Daily Record: ‘I was picking someone up when a member of medical staff was stabbed. The whole place is on lockdown. ‘Armed police are there and they’re sending everyone away from the area.’
NHS Ayrshire and Arran lifted the lockdown late on Thursday evening after police said it was safe to do so.
Ambulances were diverted to University Hospital Ayr while the lockdown was in place.
Crawford McGuffie, NHS Ayrshire and Arran medical director, said: ‘Following the police incident earlier this evening, University Hospital Crosshouse was put under lockdown.
‘Police Scotland have confirmed the risk to patients, staff and visitors to the hospital is minimal, and so this lockdown has been lifted.
‘There remains a large police presence on the grounds of the hospital.
‘We would like to reassure anyone coming to the hospital, in particular to any patients or staff coming on shift, that Police Scotland have confirmed it is safe to do so. However, if you are worried, please speak to the onsite Police Scotland officers.
‘As this is a Police Scotland incident, we are unable to comment any further at this time.’
Police said that inquiries into the incidents are at an early stage but that there is no cause for concern for the wider community.
In its latest update last night, Police Scotland tweeted: ‘Police Scotland is currently dealing with 3 potentially linked incidents in the Kilmarnock area.
‘The first occurred around 7.45pm outside Crosshouse Hospital, the second around 20 minutes later on Portland Street, and the third, a serious road crash, on the A76, around 8.30pm.
‘Enquiries into these incidents are at an early stage and these areas have been cordoned off at this time. There is no cause for concern for the wider community.’
They added: ‘We can confirm the ongoing incidents in the Kilmarnock area are not being treated as terrorist-related.’
First Minster Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: ‘My thoughts are with those involved in these very serious incidents in Crosshouse/Kilmarnock.
‘Please help @AyrshirePolice do their job by following the advice to stay away from the areas affected.’
Scottish Labour candidate Kevin McGregor tweeted: ‘Worrying reports of stabbings in the Kilmarnock and Crosshouse areas this evening.
‘Please everyone take care and stay vigilant.’
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