One ‘stabbed’ and Kilmarnock hospital locked down following ‘serious incidents’
One 'stabbed' and Kilmarnock hospital locked down following 'serious incidents'
At least one person is reported to have been stabbed during three “serious incidents” in East Ayrshire.
On Thursday night, University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock was placed under lockdown. Ambulances were redirected to University Hospital Ayr as police handled the situation.
Just before 23:00, the three-hour lockdown was lifted.
According to the PA news agency, at least one person was stabbed.
No formal confirmation from Police Scotland was provided.
At roughly 19:45 on Thursday, police were called to the Crosshouse location for the first incident.
They suspect that a serious crash on the A76 and another that occurred in the middle of Kilmarnock roughly twenty minutes later could be related.
The events are not being investigated as acts of terrorism.
Police Scotland stated that there was no reason for the general public to be concerned in a statement posted on Twitter.
It further stated that the places in question have been roped off and that investigations are still in their early stages.
At around 20:05, the second event occurred on Portland Street, around two miles from the hospital.
At around 20:30, police were summoned to the collision on the A76 at the town’s edge.
Just before 2:30, locals reported hearing helicopters and sirens overhead.
The hospital’s main entrance and A&E department were operational as usual on Friday morning, but two police vans brimming with cops stayed outside, cordoned off a portion of the parking lot with police tape.
The medical director of NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Dr. Crawford McGuffie, stated that police had verified there was little risk to patients, employees, and guests at the facility.
“There is still a significant police presence on the hospital grounds,” he continued.
“We want to reassure everyone visiting the hospital that it is safe to do so, especially patients and staff starting their shifts. This is something Police Scotland has confirmed.
“However, if you are worried, please speak to the onsite Police Scotland officers.”
Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, called the incidents extremely serious.
“My thoughts are with those involved in these very serious incidents,” the woman continued. Please heed the warning to avoid the impacted areas in order to assist law enforcement in doing their duties.”
Ayrshire MSP and health secretary Jeane Freeman discussed Thursday night’s events on BBC Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland.
She continued: “They are very worrying and as I said last night my thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected and with our colleagues in the NHS and Police Scotland and I want to thank them again for responding to these incidents in the professional, swift and caring manner that I know they will have done.”