How the ailsa stabbing drama unfolded

as reports broke of a stabbing at the ailsa on thursday, ayrshire post reporter Lochlin Highet was one of the first men on the scene after being contacted by a horrified worker.

News that both the ailsa and ayr Hospital had gone into lockdown sparked panic on social media.

Lochlin revealed: “Driving round to the hospital was tense.

“Just as cars turned into the grounds they were greeted by a police car sticking out of a junction on the road.

“and when heading round to the ailsa grounds, there were police cars spread out all along the route.

“then when arriving near the addiction building it was a hive of police activity with dozens of officers and cars surrounding the building.

“any car trying to drive anywhere near the scene were stopped and interrogated intensely.

“a helicopter could be heard overhead, with police dog units out in force.

“When leaving the scene there was yet more police, with specialist vehicles spread round the car parks heading out of the grounds.”

tIMELINE:

10.05am: Donna Maxwell is stabbed in the car park of the addictions unit at the ailsa. the community worker, 42, stumbles back inside to raise the alarm.

10.10am: a full- scale emergency is declared at both the ailsa and ayr Hospitals as both sites are put on lockdown.

police send a huge response to the scene following reports of the stabbing.

Donna is whisked to ayr Hospital to undergo treatment as the hunt begins for the attacker.

11am: a police helicopter can be seen hovering above ayr town centre as officers try to trace the culprit.

Nobody is being allowed to enter or leave ayr or ailsa Hospitals.

staff at the ailsa have been told to stay in their offices.

11.30am: police and the NHs confirm a stabbing has taken place and launch an urgent appeal for information.

the public is urged to come forward with any information.

4pm: police say the suspect remains on the run and issue a description of a woman in a wooly hat and dark jacket with a “pale complexion”.

6pm: police say an arrest has been made on an “unrelated matter” but that the suspect is helping them with their enquiries.

tuesday, November 27: police confirm their suspect is still at large and there has been no arrest.