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Ayr hospitals on lockdown after reported stabbing Police appeal for witnesses after Ayr hospital stabbing
(about 4 hours later)
Two hospitals on the outskirts of Ayr on the west coast of Scotland are under lockdown as police investigate a reported stabbing. Police are appealing for information about a woman who was seen leaving the vicinity shortly after a 42-year-old woman was stabbed in a car park of Ailsa hospital in Ayr on Thursday morning.
Staff and patients at University Hospital Ayr, a general hospital south-east of Ayr, and Ailsa hospital, a smaller facility which specialises in mental health, psychiatry and addictions, were told to remain in their rooms while police carried out a helicopter search of the area. Two hospitals on the outskirts of Ayr on the west coast of Scotland were initially under lockdown as police responded to reports of a stabbing.
Locals said staff had been told to lock themselves in their offices and the local health board confirmed no staff, patients or visitors would be able to leave the site until advised. Staff and patients at University Hospital Ayr, a general hospital south-east of Ayr, and nearby Ailsa hospital, a smaller facility which specialises in mental health, psychiatry and addictions, were first told not to leave the site, but the lockdown was lifted by 1pm.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Around 10.05am on Thursday November 22, police received a report that a woman had been attacked in the grounds of Ailsa hospital, Dalmellington Road, Ayr. The injured woman, who is employed as a community support worker at the hospital, was taken to Ayr hospital for treatment, where her injuries were described by medical staff as being serious but stable.
“Emergency services are in attendance and the woman has been taken to hospital. Both hospitals are now open as normal, although police officers are continuing to search the area, supported by a police helicopter team and dog handlers.
“Local officers, supported by the police helicopter, are currently conducting a search of the area and enquiries are ongoing.” Supt Brian Shaw said: “I am urging anyone who witnessed the attack to get in touch with us. I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area around 10am and has information about a woman who was seen leaving the area shortly after the 42-year-old woman was stabbed.”
In a statement, NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: “Due to an incident on the grounds of Ailsa hospital earlier today, Ailsa hospital and University Hospital Ayr campus are on full lockdown. No members of staff, patients or visitors will be able to leave the sites until advised.” “She is described as being around 5ft 2in to 5ft 3in in height, slight build and pale complexion. She was wearing a dark woolly hat and a dark jacket. If you recognise her description or have information about her identity please call Police Scotland via 101.”
Asked about the incident at the hospitals during first minister’s questions at the Holyrood parliament on Thursday lunchtime, Nicola Sturgeon told the chamber: “My understanding is that the injuries sustained [by the victim] were not life-threatening and that the police are fully involved in this incident.” He added that officers were reviewing CCTV and carrying out door-to-door enquiries in an effort to identify the woman responsible.
Asked about the incident at the hospitals during first minister’s questions in Holyrood on Thursday, Nicola Sturgeon told the chamber: “My understanding is that the injuries sustained [by the victim] were not life-threatening. The police are fully involved in this because, obviously, the safety of staff and patients are of the utmost importance and will be driving everything that is being done.”
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