Kilmarnock stabbing: Mother and daughter named as victims

Police are linking the deaths of Emma Coupland, 39, and Nicole Anderson, 24

Police investigate a stabbing University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. (Getty Images)

A mother and daughter were killed in separate attacks linked to the death of a man in a car crash in Kilmarnock, Scotland.

Police launched an investigation after Emma Robertson Coupland, 39, was found fatally injured in the car park of University Hospital Crosshouse in the East Ayshire town at around 7.45pm on Thursday.

The hospital was locked down amid a security alert, and 20 minutes later her daughter Nicole Anderson, 24, was stabbed on Portland Street. Both women died despite the efforts of the emergency services.

Police Scotland said they were linking the two attacks to the death of a 40-year-old man in a car crash on the C50 road on the outskirts of Kilmarnock at around 8.30pm.

Officers are not looking for anyone else as part of the investigation and confirmed the incidents were not being treated as terrorist-related. The relatives of all three people involved have been informed.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Dreadful news. My thoughts are with the bereaved. Thinking too of everyone at Crosshouse Hospital, already dealing with the tough circumstances of Covid. I’m also grateful to our emergency services.”

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister’s thoughts are with all those involved and he thanks the police and the healthcare staff for their response.”

Ahead of the daily Scottish government coronavirus briefing at Friday lunchtime, deputy first minister John Swinney spoke about the “dreadful” events.

He said: “A tragedy like this would be impossible to understand at any time, but after the events of the past year it is particularly shocking that such an incident has taken place at an NHS hospital.

“An investigation is of course ongoing, however Police Scotland have confirmed that the site at Crosshouse Hospital is secure and it is safe for patients and staff to go there.

“For now I simply want to thank the police officers and all of the medical staff who were involved in the response to this incident for all that they contributed and to express my sympathy to the staff of the hospital for the trauma to which they are having to come to terms.

“And again I want to send my deepest condolences to the family and the friends of those who have been killed.”

Scotland’s Health secretary Jeane Freeman echoed Mr Swinney’s comments and said “immediate support” has been offered to NHS staff.

The hospital’s A&E department and main entrance were open and running as normal on Friday while two police vans remained outside with police tape around part of the car park.

Several roads in Kilmarnock town centre were closed, including Portland Street, West George Street and Garden Street via Hill Street. The C50 was also closed at the scene of the crash and diversions were set up.

East Ayrshire Council said in a statement: “Following on from the tragic incidents in and around Kilmarnock last night, our thoughts are with all the families and individuals affected by these events.

Floral tributes left at the Crosshouse Hospital near Kilmarnock (Reuters)

“We know our communities will be shocked and saddened by these events, but we wish to reassure them that there is no risk to the general public at this time and we are supporting our colleagues in NHS Ayrshire & Arran and Police Scotland wherever we can.”

Chief superintendent Faroque Hussain said officers were still investigating but sought to reassure the public that “there is no wider threat to the community”.

He said: “A number of locations remain cordoned off as officers continue to conduct inquiries. We are working to confirm the full circumstances of what has happened. If anyone has any information which could assist our inquiries, 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.”

Additional reporting by Press Association