A MEMBER of medical staff at Crosshouse Hospital has reportedly been stabbed during a "serious" incident.
The hospital in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, was locked down by armed police as dozens of emergency vehicles were called to the scene.
There were unconfirmed reports that a second nurse has also been injured.
Police Scotland ruled out a terrorist attack but they were linking three incidents near the hospital.
Follow our live blog below for all the latest updates…
- Claudia Aoraha
'TRAGIC INCIDENTS' SAYS COUNCIL
East Ayrshire Council say their thoughts are with all the families and individuals affected by "the tragic incidents in and around Kilmarnock last night".
In a statement the council said: "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."
- Claudia Aoraha
MEMBER OF STAFF VICTIM OF STABBING, SAYS SKY NEWS
A member of staff at a hospital in Kilmarnock has been the victim of a stabbing, reported Sky News.
The extent of the injuries is not yet known.
Crosshouse Hospital was forced to lock down for about three hours on Thursday evening.
- Claudia Aoraha
NOT TERROR RELATED
Police Scotland has confirmed the incidents are not being treated as terror related, and there is no cause for wider concern.
But the stabbing was one of three "serious incidents" in the town that are thought to be linked, police say.
- Patrick Knox
HOSPITAL STABBING
- Patrick Knox
INQUIRIES AT EARLY STAGE
Police said inquiries into the incidents are at an early stage but that there is no cause for concern for the wider community.
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."
- Patrick Knox
HOSPITAL LOCKDOWN LIFTED
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.”
- Patrick Knox
ARMED POLICE ON SCENE
NHS Ayrshire & Arran have said the ambulances are being diverted from the hospital.
One eyewitness 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."
- Patrick Knox
‘LISTEN TO THE POLICE!’
Scotland's justice minister, Humza Yousaf, said on Twitter: "Please listen to Police instructions and avoid both Crosshouse Hospital & Portland St in Kilmarnock. Police are attending a v serious incident."
- Patrick Knox
STURGEON REACTS
- Patrick Knox
MULTIPLE INCIDENTS POTENTIALLY LINKED
Police Scotland said one of the incidents was at Crosshouse Hospital, while a second happened on Portland Street in nearby Kilmarnock and a third on the A76.
Officers said on Twitter: "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."
- Patrick Knox
PICTURED: SCENE OUTSIDE HOSPITAL
NINTCHDBPICT000634392050-1Credit: jamiewilliamson.com - Patrick Knox
SCOTTISH LABOUR CANDIDATE REACTS
Kevin McGregor said: "Worrying reports of stabbings in the Kilmarnock and Crosshouse areas this evening. Please everyone take care and stay vigilant.
"Not entirely sure what the developing situation is but will update if I hear anything."
- Patrick Knox
HOSPITAL SPEAKS OUT
A spokespersons for the hospital has said: "NHS Ayrshire and Arran is aware of an incident in the grounds of University Hospital Crosshouse.
"As a result, the hospital has been placed under lockdown and ambulances diverted to University Hospital Ayr.
"We are assisting Police Scotland with their investigations, and to ensure the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
- Patrick Knox
‘NOT TERROR RELATED’ – COPS
Police Scotland has just issued an update.
It tweeted: “We can confirm the ongoing incidents in the Kilmarnock area are not being treated as terrorist-related.”
- Patrick Knox
LOCALS REACT TO CHAOS
- Patrick Knox
NHS CHIEF SPEAKS
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.
"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."
- Patrick Knox
POLICE URGE PEOPLE TO AVOID 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.
"These areas are cordoned off and the public are asked to avoid them at this time."
- Patrick Knox
POLICE SWOOP ON MASS TO HOSPITAL – WITNESS
An eyewitness 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."
NINTCHDBPICT000634390110-1Credit: Ayrshire Live - Patrick Knox
AMBULANCES DIVERTED AWAY FROM HOSPITAL
NHS Ayrshire & Arran have said the ambulances are being diverted from the hospital.
Meanwhile, officers have said they are dealing with two serious incidents – one at the hospital and a second at a nearby street.
- Patrick Knox
‘MEDICAL STAFF AND NURSE STABBED’
Cops and emergency services are at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock as there are unconfirmed reports that a medical staff member has been stabbed.A second nurse is understood to have also been injured, The Daily Record reports.
- Patrick Knox
POLICE DEAL WITH TWO SERIOUS INCIDENTS AS HOSPITAL LOCKED DOWN
A hospital has been placed under lockdown following a "serious incident" in its grounds.
Police said they are dealing with two serious incidents in Kilmarnock, one at University Hospital Crosshouse and the second one in Portland Street on Thursday evening.
Reports on social media suggest there may have been a stabbing.
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