A Scots school was locked down over fears of "a man with a knife on the grounds" during a charity-run safety session for pupils.
Police officers initially attended an address in West Kilbride at around 9.30am on Thursday June 22 as part of an ongoing enquiry.
A 35-year-old made off from the residence in a car which was later involved in a crash with another vehicle on Chapelton Road in the North Ayrshire village.
The man then fled the scene while the 75-year-old male driver of the other car was rushed to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.
A full police search involving numerous vehicles and an air support unit was then carried out to find the man who had run away.
Ardrossan Academy, on Parkhouse Road in the nearby town, was placed on lockdown after the man was thought to have made his way there.
It was feared he was carrying a weapon on the grounds and school pupils were escorted to their classrooms while parents on social media said they were informed of the situation by text.
However the 35-year-old man was traced and arrested a short time later on Barrie Terrace in Ardrossan, and officer enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
Police Scotland posted an initial statement across their social media channels shortly before 1pm which read: "Police would like to re-assure parents that an ongoing incident near to Ardrossan Academy does not involve the school or any pupils attending."
Meanwhile a Conservative councillor for the North Coast ward of North Ayrshire Council offered more information for locals.
Todd Ferguson wrote on Facebook: "As many of you may be aware you’ll have seen on social media that there has been an ongoing police operation this morning in the local area between West Kilbride and Ardrossan.
"As part of this operation officers attended a house in Lawfield Avenue to speak with the occupant about an ongoing police enquiry. A male in the household threatened officers with a weapon before making off in a vehicle.
"The vehicle, in its haste, collided with another vehicle and that driver has been injured at Chapleton Road and is being treated by paramedics and specialist road policing officers.
"The police apprehended the male in Ardrossan and there is no ongoing or live threat to the public from these incidents.
"There will be significant police and partner activity in the area for the next few hours and disruption will be kept to a minimum."
Some school pupils had been taking part in personal safety training at the time, covering subjects such as practical knife defence.
The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety said on Facebook: "Great Personal Safety training at Ardrossan Academy today for over 50 young men covering a variety of topics including practical knife defence. Well done to all those taking part.
"Coincidentally, the entire school got put into lockdown as it was feared a person with a knife had entered the school grounds. Cue police helicopters, cars and an ambulance while he was apprehended. You couldn’t make this up."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 9.30am on Thursday, 22 June, police attended an address in West Kilbride as part of an ongoing police enquiry.
"A 35-year-old man at the address made off in a vehicle which was later involved in a road crash with another car on Chapelton Road.
“The man fled the scene and the 75-year-old male driver of the other car was taken by ambulance to Crosshouse Hospital.
"Following searches by officers assisted by the Air Support Unit, the 35-year-old man was traced and arrested a short time later on Barrie Terrace in Ardrossan.
“Enquiries are continuing.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
