School in lockdown after two staff and another injured in stabbing
One person has been arrested after two members of staff and a third person were injured in a stabbing at a school in South Wales.
Police and air ambulances were seen at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.
Classrooms have reportedly been put under lockdown and at least two air ambulances are at the scene.
Many of the parents who had gathered outside the school tearfully hugged their children after they walked out of the school from 3.20pm.
Cllr Karen Davies, an LEA governor at the school, confirmed a stabbing had taken place.
She added: ‘I have been told someone has been arrested and that two members of staff have been stabbed, but have no confirmation on how serious the injuries are.
‘I send my thoughts to those injured and all the people there. I know how well the school rehearsed lockdown and I am sure everything is under control.’
The school said: ‘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.’
Parent Lisa Barret, whose daughter is a pupil, told Metro she is yet to hear anything from the school.
Are you at the scene?
David Llywelyn, who lives opposite the school, told S4C News: ‘Something serious has happened.
‘What I see is two air ambulances on the school field and two ambulance incident support units – there are up to ten police cars here.’
Dyfed-Powys Police said: ‘Three people have been injured and are receiving treatment.
‘One person has been arrested and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
‘Emergency services remain at scene and the school has been closed while investigations continue.’
One parent said: ‘This is a quiet area and a nice school with a good community. We just can’t figure out what has gone on. My daughter saw an air ambulance land outside. It is unbelievable.’
Both the prime minister and the home secretary have expressed their shock at the attack.
Rishi Sunak said: ‘Shocked at the news emerging from Ammanford today.
‘I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response and my thoughts are with all those affected.’
Keir Starmer has also described the news as ‘awful’.
He wrote on X: ‘My thoughts are with parents, teachers and staff at the school and all of the students.
‘Grateful to the emergency services who are responding.’
Children were locked inside classrooms on a so-called ‘code red’ while police dashed to the scene.
A nearby primary school is also on lockdown as a precaution.
Welsh Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called shortly after 11.15am to an incident on Margaret Street in Ammanford.
‘We sent four emergency ambulances and the hazardous area response team to the scene, where crews were supported by two Cymru high acuity response unit paramedics and an operational manager.
‘Advanced critical care support was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service in two Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopters.’
A headteachers’ union described an incident at a school in Ammanford as ‘horrifying’.
Eithne Hughes, director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, said: ‘While we don’t know the full details of what has happened, this is clearly a horrifying incident and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected at the school and in the wider community.’
Around 1,800 pupils attend the Welsh language secondary school.
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