Three people have died following incidents in Kilmarnock last night.
Police have confirmed that a 39-year-old woman was found injured at a car park at Crosshouse Hospital at around 7.45pm.
She received medical care but she died at the scene.
Twenty minutes later, a 24-year-old woman was stabbed on Portland Street.
Emergency services attended and she was taken to Crosshouse Hospital where she later died.
A third incident saw a 40-year-old man die following a road crash on the C50, a road between the B7036 and the A76.
Emergency services attended but the male driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say family have been made aware.
Enquiries carried out so far have indicated that the incidents were linked and an investigation is under way to establish the exact circumstances of what happened.
Officers are not looking for anyone else as part of their investigation and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Ayrshire divisional commander 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, however, I would like to reassure people that there is no wider threat to the community.
"Officers will be on patrol and anyone with any concerns can approach these officers."
Local diversions are in place as a number of areas remain cordoned off in the town centre and ear on the road between the B7036 and A76.
If anyone has any information which could assist this investigation, please do contact police on 101.
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