Ammanford school stabbing: Two teachers and child knifed in South Wales attack

Three people have been rushed to hospital following a major incident at a school in South West Wales.

By Hannah Kane, Deputy News Editor, Liam Doyle, News Reporter, Mieka Smiles, News Reporter

Ammanford school stabbing: Police and ambulances at the scene

Two teachers and a child have been knifed in an attack at a South West Wales school.

The horror incident saw the high school placed on lockdown following reports of a stabbing and a teenage girl has now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police have now confirmed that three victims are being treated in hospital for stab wounds following the incident at Amman Valley School in Carmarthenshire - but say their injuries are not life-threatening.

Hero teacher Darrel Campbell disarmed the girl as she slashed teachers and a pupil. According to an eyewitness he put the girl into an armlock until police and other emergency services arrived at the scene.

Police and emergency services scrambled to the the ongoing incident and the whole are was sealed off.

A pupil - who is believed to be in the same class as the young female suspect - was given first aid until paramedics arrived at the school, reports The Telegraph.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed in a statement released this afternoon that officers are "dealing with an incident at Amman Valley School", adding that three people have been injured and are receiving treatment.

The department also confirmed that one person has been arrested following the incident, and that officers are not seeking anyone else.

A horrific video from the scene shows a schoolgirl slumped on the floor as terrified pupils scream, "she's been stabbed", while teachers desperately try and get the children to safety. Pupils were left hiding in classrooms and the school kitchen, according to reports.

A crowd of concerned parents are also waiting outside the school gates for their children.

A police spokesman said: "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.

"We are working closely with the school and Carmarthenshire County Council. We are aware that there is footage of the incident currently circulating on social media.

"We would ask that this is removed to avoid contempt of court and distress to those affected. We would ask the people do not speculate while there is a police investigation ongoing."

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School will be closed on Thursday

The school where two teachers and a pupils were stabbed earlier today will be closed tomorrow.

Carmarthenshire County Council said the Amman Valley School, in south west Wales, will be closed on Thursday.

Pupils will take lessons online whilst officers continue their investigations.

Full statement from council

Carmarthenshire County Council has issued a new statement following the stabbings at a high school in its area earlier today.

It reads: "What has happened today has been a huge shock to the Ysgol Dyffryn Amman community and Carmarthenshire County Council.

"We are thinking of the three injured individuals and their families, and praying for them.

"We are helping Dyfed-Powys Police with their investigation, and so we can confirm that Ysgol Dyffryn Aman will be closed tomorrow, Thursday 25 April, to all pupils and staff in order for Dyfed-Powys Police to carry out their investigation.

"While the school will be closed tomorrow, online lessons will be available to pupils and well-being support will be available to all pupils and staff affected by today's events.

"Carmarthenshire County Council would like to take this opportunity to repeat the Dyfed-Powys Police request to delete photos and videos relating to the incident that are on social media, in order to avoid contempt of court and distress for those who have been affected by this. We also ask people not to speculate as the police investigation continues.

"Anyone with information that could assist officers with their investigation is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police through their designated Public Portal."

Council vows to support pupils and staff in 'aftermath'

The leader of a Welsh council has vowed to support those affected after the stabbings at a school.

Darren Price, the leader of the council, praised the teachers, staff and pupils “for the way they responded to this shocking incident”.

He added: “As a council, our priority now is to do all that we can over the coming days and weeks to support the pupils and staff in the aftermath.”

Drama and Welsh teacher 'among those injured'

A Welsh and drama teacher is among the three injured in a knife attack at a south west Wales school.

One of those injured is understood to be Fiona Elias, who teaches Welsh and drama according to the Telegraph.

Hero teacher disarmed girl with knife

A hero teacher disarmed a girl with a knife as she slashed teachers and a pupil.

Darrel Campbell wrestled the butterfly knife from the teenage girl, reports MailOnline.

An eye-witness said the teacher he put the girl into an armlock until police and other emergency services arrived at the scene at the school in south west Wales.

Injuries suffered by teachers and pupil 'not life threatening'

The injuries suffered by two teachers and a teenage pupil who were stabbed at a school in Wales are not life-threatening, Dyfed-Powys Police said.

New police statement in full

Superintendent Ross Evans, Carmarthenshire Commander, said: “A teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and currently remains in police custody.

“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.”

Teenage girl arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

A teenage girl arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following stabbings at a school in Wales.

Two teachers and pupil stabbed in West Wales school.

Police confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that three people were injured at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman school and are being treated for stab wounds.

 

Mum says daughter is a 'tough cookie’

Parents are picking up their children left outside after the school went into lockdown following the stabbing.

Mum Charlotte Rogers, who was waiting for her daughter to come out of the Ammonford school.

She said: “She said that one teacher and two pupils had been stabbed, that’s all I know.

“She said she was scared. She’s a tough cookie so fingers crossed. I just want to give her a big hug. I just want everyone to be safe. This shouldn’t have happened.

“At the end of the day, they should have had measures in place beforehand, when they first opened the school, to make sure it was safe for them,” reports The Telegraph.

 

Pupil given first aid

A pupil - who is believed to be in the same class as the young female suspect - was given first aid until paramedics arrived at the school, reports The Telegraph.

'Girl' is responsible for stabbings

A girl is reponsible for the stabbing at a Wales high school according to reports.

A female teacher is among the three people stabbed by a girl at a high school in Wales, reports The Telegraph.

More on this incident as we have it.

Female teacher among the three stabbed

A female teacher is among the three people stabbed by a girl at a high school in Wales according to new reports.

The injured teacher was flown by air ambulance 70 miles to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, reports The Telegraph.

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Pictures show emergency services remain at scene

While the situation is now contained, an emergency service presence remains at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

The frontage of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman (Image: WALES ONLINE)

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

Several emergency vehicles can be seen at the scene (Image: WALES ONLINE)

Hazardous response team and advanced critical care personnel sent to scene

The Welsh Ambulance Service has confirmed that it deployed advanced critical care support and a hazardous area response team to the school this afternoon.

A spokesperson 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."

Amman Valley School confirms incident 'contained' and injured persons families informed

In its first statement on the incident, Amman Valley School said on its website that the situation is contained and the families of "all injured persons" have been informed.

The statement read: "You will be aware of the incident that has taken place at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman today.

"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."

Chair of governors 'shocked and surprised' by attack on school

Cllr David Jenkins, who served as a governor at the school for 14 years and the chair of governors for just three weeks, said he was "shocked and surprised" by the incident.

He said: "This was out of the blue. I am shocked and surprised because it is a happy school and we've had no problems of this kind before.

"I am going into the school this afternoon for a meeting. I tried to attend the school this morning but could not get access because it was in lockdown. I spoke to the head by phone while police were there.

"He confirmed the situation and said it was contained. He assured me the injured parties were sent to hospital but I do not know how serious the injuries were."

Cllr Jenkins added that he had spoken to the school's headteacher by phone and that he was assured emergency procedures had quickly sprung into action.

Parents seen outside school gates

Parents have been pictured outside the school gates, where police remain.

Parents outside school

Parents have been pictured outside the school (Image: WALES ONLINE)

Sir Keir Starmer weighs in on 'awful' reports

Sir Keir Starmer has weighed in on the "awful" reports coming from Ammanford.

Rishi Sunak 'shocked' at news of Ammanford incident

The Prime Minister has now spoken about the incident in Ammanford.

He said he was "shocked at the news" of the attack in a post on X.

hocked at the news

'She's been stabbed!' full details of video being shared on social media

Horror footage is circulating widely online.

The video, which Express.co.uk has chosen not to share, shows a schoolgirl slumped on the floor before a student shouts "she's been stabbed".

A female teacher can also be heard screaming "get back, get inside now!" at horrified schoolchildren who are seen watching on.

The children can later be seen rushing inside.

Pupils 'being escorted to toilets by police'

Pupils still confined to their classrooms following the incident are being escorted to the toilets by police, people at the scene have told Wales Online.

A woman whose sister is a year 10 pupil at the school told a reporter for the publication: "They are still being held in classrooms and being escorted by police to the toilet".

Ambulances seen leaving the scene

Ambulances have started leaving the scene, pictures from the school show.

Ambulance leaving Welsh school

Ambulances have been pictured leaving the school (Image: WALES ONLINE)

Video said to be from scene shows scuffle on school grounds

A video currently making the rounds purportedly shows scenes from inside the school as the incident took place.

The footage - posted on social media - shows a scuffle in a paved area outside the main building, with someone seemingly being restrained while students scatter.

There is no definite confirmation as to whether the video came directly from the school following today's incident.

Parents anxiously waiting outside school

Hundreds of parents are anxiously awaiting news on the incident just outside the school grounds.

Children are reportedly still waiting inside, where previous reports have suggested they remain locked down in their classrooms.

School governor told 'two members of staff injured'

Cllr Karen Davies, an LEA governor at the school, confirmed she was told the incident involved a stabbing in which two members of staff were injured.

She said she was not aware whether any children were injured.

She said: "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.

"It is shocking. You hear about these things happening in Manchester and London but it is literally our comprehensive here."

Welsh First Minister responds to 'deeply worrying' incident

Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething has responded to the "deeply worrying incident" at the Ammanford school.

He said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Shocked to hear news of the serious incident in Rhydaman [Ammanford]. A deeply worrying time for the school, families and community.”

Pupils and staff 'shut in classrooms and other rooms'

Wales Online has received reports that pupils have been "shut in classrooms and other rooms, including the canteen".

The publication has added that people have been asked not to use their phones.

Air ambulances and police seen at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

Pictures show the situation from outside Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford from the outside (Image: WALES ONLINE)

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

Ambulances at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman (Image: WALES ONLINE)

Three people injured after 'stabbing'

Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed the ongoing incident at Amman Valley School, adding that three people have been injured.

A spokesman for the service said: "Dyfed-Powys Police is dealing with an incident at Amman Valley School. 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.

"We are working closely with the school and Carmarthenshire County Council. We are aware that there is footage of the incident currently circulating on social media. We would ask that this is removed to avoid contempt of court and distress to those affected. We would ask the people do not speculate while there is a police investigation ongoing."

Where is Ysgol Dyffryn Aman?

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman is a school on Margaret Street in Ammanford, South Wales.

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

Everything we know so far

The situation in Ammanford is currently developing, with few details confirmed by local authorities as of yet.

Here's what we know so far:

- Emergency services have attended Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

- Air ambulances, police, and ambulances are on the scene

- The incident has been characterised as "serious"

Express.co.uk has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service for additional information.

Local salon offers safe space for students as incident develops

A local pet spa has offered itself as a safe space for students and adults as emergency services remain at the scene.

Diamonds in the Ruff said it would open to people who "need a place to stay for safety" this afternoon.

The salon said: "If anyone, children or adult, need somewhere to stay for safety until your parents can collect or it’s safe to go home, please feel free to come to the salon.

"You’re welcome to sit here, be cuddled by a poodle, in safety.
"You can come to the front of the salon but if need be, the little gate at back of the pound stretcher carpark, near the recycling bins, is the rear access.
"Come through there and shout down to me to let you in through to the salon.
"I truly hope the poor victims are going to be ok and everyone else gets the support they need in this terrible situation!"

Residents fear 'something serious has happened' as air ambulances arrive at scene

A resident living opposite the school grounds has said he is fearful that "something serious has happened" after emergency services arrived on the scene.

Speaking to Welsh language news site Newyddion S4C, David Llewellyn said: "What I see is two air ambulances on the school field and two ambulance incident support units - there are up to 10 police cars here. Up to five or six ambulances have arrived.

"The police came about three-quarters of an hour ago. Many cars have arrived at the site by now - something serious is going on."

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Multiple people are believed to have been stabbed at a school in South Wales. More to follow.

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