Two women have died and a man has been killed in a car crash in ‘linked incidents’ in Scotland.
A 39-year-old woman was found injured outside Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock at 7.45pm and later passed away.
A 24-year-old woman was stabbed 20 minutes later on a nearby street and she died in hospital.
A 40-year-old man crashed a car under a viaduct and police said he died at the scene at around 8.30pm.
Officers said the three deaths are believed to be linked, their families have been told and they are not hunting any further suspects.
Unconfirmed reports suggested the two women were nurses as forensic officers continue their investigation.
Local journalist Alex Tiffin said on Twitter he had been told by a police source the events were linked to a ‘domestic incident’.
Police in Scotland were last night dealing with three serious incidents across Kilmarnock including a stabbing at the town’s hospital. Pictured: West George Street in the stown
Minutes later officers rushed to another incident under a viaduct (pictured this morning) on Portland Street in the centre of Kilmarnock. This incident reportedly also involved a stabbing
It is unclear if the incidents are connected, however they are not being treated as ‘terrorist-related’
University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock has been placed under lockdown after two people were reportedly stabbed in its grounds. Pictured: Forensic officers were at the scene late into the night
Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain said: ‘A number of locations remain cordoned off as officers continue to conduct enquiries.
‘We are working to confirm the full circumstances of what has happened. If anyone has any information which could assist our enquiries, please do contact us.
‘Understandably, people will be shocked by what has happened. We are still in the process of establishing the full circumstances.
‘I would like to reassure people there is no wider threat to the community. Officers will be on patrol and anyone with any concerns can approach these officers.’
NHS Ayrshire and Arran said last night ambulances had been diverted to University Hospital Ayr.
A witness at the hospital 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.’
Another witness told Ayrshire Live: ‘There are between 10 and 15 police vans sitting on the edge of the Moorfield Estate which is about half-a-mile away from the hospital.
‘It looks like an officer is standing guard outside the A&E department at the hospital. I’ve lived round here for a while and never seen anything like this.’
Dozens of police cars and ambulances from other hospitals rushed to the scene following reports of a nurse being stabbed in the grounds of the hospital
Minutes later officers rush to another incident underneath a viaduct on Portland Street in the centre of the town. This incident reportedly involved a stabbing
Dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles have surrounded University Hospital Crosshouse near Kilmarnock after being called to a ‘serious incident’
Police Scotland said last night: ‘Currently dealing with three 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.’
East Ayrshire Council tweeted this morning: ‘We know our communities will be shocked & saddened by these events, but we wish to reassure them that there is no risk to the general public at this time & we are supporting our colleagues in NHS Ayrshire & Arran & police wherever we can.’
Scotland’s Justice Minister Humza Yousaf posted a tweet about the incident urging people to avoid the area last night.
He said: ‘Please listen to Police instructions and avoid both Crosshouse Hospital & Portland St in Kilmarnock. Police are attending a v serious incident.’
Armed police were patrolling the grounds of the hospital, while forensic officers worked through the night to collect evidence from the scene.
Crawford McGuffie, NHS Ayrshire and Arran medical director, said: ‘NHS Ayrshire and Arran is aware of an incident in the grounds of University Hospital Crosshouse.
‘As a result, the hospital has been under lockdown, and ambulances diverted to University Hospital Ayr.
Portland Street in the centre of Kilmarnock remains closed off. Harrowing footage circulating online shows an emergency worker attempting to resuscitate someone in the road
It is unclear if the incidents are connected, however they are not being treated as ‘terrorist-related’
Reports on social media suggest there may have been a stabbing
‘We are assisting Police Scotland with their investigations, and to ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
‘As this is a Police Scotland incident, we are unable to comment any further at this time.’ Police urged people to avoid the area.
Ayrshire Police tweeted: ‘Officers in Kilmarnock are currently dealing with two serious incidents in the town at this time, one at Crosshouse Hospital and a second in Portland Street.’
It added: ‘These areas are cordoned off and the public are asked to avoid them at this time.’
The incident comes as staff at the hospital continue to treat patients, including people with Covid-19 amid the pandemic.
In January, an A&E doctor warned staff workloads had doubled as they battled the effects of the virus.
The medic had said: ‘Staff are probably having to do more work than they normally do, and that’s translated throughout the entire hospital.’That same month, Nicola Sturgeon said hospitals in Ayrshire and Arran were at 96 per cent capacity as she announced a new lockdown.