Police dealing with two major incidents in Kilmarnock as Crosshouse Hospital on lockdown

Police are dealing with two major incidents in Kilmarnock tonight as Crosshouse Hospital is under lockdown.

There is a heavy presence near the hospital while part of the town centre, at Portland Street at the viaduct, has been shut down where there is also an emergency response.

The Daily Record are reporting this evening that a nurse has reportedly been stabbed at the hospital.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran say ambulances will be diverted down the A77 to Ayr Hospital while Crosshouse is under lockdown.

One eyewitness close to the hospital 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."

The scene outside Crosshouse Hospital where a police van is stationed outside A&E (Reach plc)

Another local said of the town centre scene: "Right now, there is a huge police presence at the first archway of the viaduct.

"There are four or five police cars here and no traffic is being allowed through the archway. A No 11 bus is just sitting at the traffic lights.

"The police cordon goes just past the arches up to the Jewel In The Crown Indian restaurant."

Town centre traffic is being diverted away from Portland Street and up Garden Street before the Fanny by Gaslight pub.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said tonight: "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."

In a statement said, NHS Ayrshire & Arran medical director Crawford McGuffie said: “NHS Ayrshire & 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.”

More information will be provided as it becomes available.