Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

HORRIFIED families fled a caravan park yesterday after a man was stabbed to death in a bloody brawl.

Two security guards found the 41-year-old victim – and a man aged 32 with a knife wound to his torso – at Sandylands Holiday Park in Saltcoats at 11.25pm on Thursday.

A source said: “There was blood everywhere.

“There was a massive police presence and at least three ambulances.

“People are leaving after hearing about this. They’re packing their bags and going.”

Police cordoned off eight caravans as forensics experts searched for evidence. Specialists began working at 1pm yesterday.

Our source said there had been a string of violent incidents at the park in recent months.

He added: “There have been break-ins and people threatened with violence.

“There has been a lot of violence in the pub.

“Residents are living in fear from previous incidents. There arr a lot of kids on the site.”

The camp has privately owned and rented plots, with some people living there permanently.

A family staying near the site of the killing returned to their caravan at 1.30am yesterday and came across the scene.

One woman said: “We didn’t know what had happened until today. Police just told us there had been a serious incident.

“We leave today. It is very shocking.”

John and Helen Gray, of Cambuslang, were in their holiday home on the site when the stabbing happened.

Helen said: “It is a horrible shock to hear a man has died. My thoughts go out to the family involved. It’s so sad.

“But this is a good site. I wouldn’t want people to think this is a normal thing to happen here.”

Police said: “We received a report of a man injured following a disturbance.

“Emergency services attended and a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A 32-year-old was also injured and is being treated at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.”

A spokeswoman for the park said they were working closely with police.

The park was still open but some people were being turned away because of the police cordon.

Police said a man aged 28 was in custody last night in connection with the man’s death, and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

It is understood a man will appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday over the death.