TEACHER STABBING
Special needs teacher & head of year stabbed in school playground attack before hero colleague ‘disarmed teen girl’
Two teachers are 'lucky to be alive', a source said
A SPECIAL needs teacher and head of year were stabbed in a school playground before a hero colleague disarmed the teenage attacker.
Police swooped on Amman Valley School in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, after receiving horrifying calls of a knife attack on Wednesday morning.
13
13
13
13
13
13
Two teachers, who have now been identified, were reportedly assaulted in the frenzy along with a pupil, before the suspect was tackled to the ground.
Drama and Welsh teacher Fiona Elias, who is also the head of year seven, was rushed to hospital after being knifed in the neck, it is alleged.
A second teacher, Liz Hopkin, who works with special needs students, is also understood to have been stabbed.
The colleagues are said to be recovering and are "lucky to be alive".
read more on uk news
A source told MailOnline: "The teacher targeted in the attack is lucky to be alive. She was stabbed in the neck, it was incredibly serious, but we have been told she will recover.
"A second teacher was also stabbed and a pupil who tried to intervene was stabbed."
During the mayhem, hero teacher Darrell Campbell "wrestled the knife" out of the teen girl's grip.
He put her into an armlock until cops and emergency services arrived, say witnesses.
Most read in The Sun
He was not harmed during the brave act.
The girl has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.
Car smashes into primary school sparking huge evacuation as emergency crews scrambled & pupils told to go home
The school was plunged into a "code red" lockdown as terrified pupils were locked in classrooms.
Did you see what happened? Call The Sun Online on 0207 782 4368 or email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed two teachers and a teen pupil were rushed to hospital with stab wounds.
The shocking aftermath of the knife attack was captured on video as one boy yelled: "That girl's got stabbed".
The video, which we are choosing not to show, appears to show two girls on the ground in an outside area of the school before one is pulled away by staff.
You just don't expect it, you send your children to school and think they will be safe
Lisa Barrett, parent
One boy can be heard saying: "What the f***, what the f***?" before a teacher orders the students to "get to class now".
Shocked pupils reportedly hopped over 7ft-high fences to escape the horror this morning.
One told The Times: “I was upstairs in English class. I walked out and someone told me this girl got stabbed.
"I didn’t believe her and then heard on the tannoy ‘code red’. So I ran out and jumped the [7ft-high perimeter] fence. A teacher told us not to jump the fence but we did anyway for our safety.”
Parents reported their children were told to stay in classrooms while police swooped on the scene.
Lisa Barrett, whose daughter attends the school, added: “She sent me a text to say the school was in lockdown. It’s really worrying.
"You hear from your child saying someone has been stabbed, you don't know what to do for the best.
"You just don't expect it, you send your children to school and think they will be safe.
"It is comforting to know they are locked in the classrooms though."
Pupils were let out of the school around four hours later and were seen hugging their tearful parents at the gates.
13
13
13
13
13
Superintendent Ross Evans, Carmarthenshire Commander, confirmed the school was put on lockdown "for the safety" of those on the premises.
In a press conference on Wednesday evening he said: “Just after 11.20am this morning we received a call advising us of an incident at Amman Valley School in Carmarthenshire.
“Emergency services immediately attended and the school was locked down for the safety of all on the premises.
“Three people - two teachers and a teenage pupil - have been taken to hospital with stab wounds.
This was a very distressing incident and our thoughts are with the victims, their family and everyone impacted by what has happened
Superintendent Ross Evans
"The family members of all those injured have been informed. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
“A teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and currently remains in police custody. A knife has been recovered.
“I would like to reassure parents and the public that the incident has concluded, and pupils have now left the school.
“We are working with the school and other agencies to ensure appropriate support is available to all involved.
“This was a very distressing incident and our thoughts are with the victims, their family and everyone impacted by what has happened.
“I am aware that there is footage of the incident currently circulating on social media and would ask that this is removed to avoid contempt of court and distress to those affected.
“I would also ask that people do not speculate while there is a police investigation ongoing.
“We are working with the school, Carmarthenshire County Council, and other agencies to ensure appropriate support is available to all involved.
"Local people will see more police in the area over the coming days as the investigation continues.”
Senior politicians expressed their shock at the stabbing led by Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething.
He added: "Shocked to hear news of a serious incident in Ammanford. Terrible news about a serious incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman.
"A deeply worrying time for the school, families and community. Thank you to first responders. I am thinking of the community as we try to find out more information."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was "shocked at the news".
He added: "I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response and my thoughts are with all those affected."
While Sir Keir Starmer added: "Awful news coming from Ammanford.
"My thoughts are with parents, teachers and staff at the school and all of the students. Grateful to the emergency services who are responding."
The Welsh language school has 1,800 pupils aged 11 to 18.
Former pupils include ex-Wales and British Lion rugby star Shane Williams and ex-MP Adam Price.
A statement on the Amman Valley School website said: "You will be aware of the incident that has taken place at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman today.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"The family members of all injured persons have been informed.
"We would like to reassure parents and the public that the incident has been contained."
13
13