A person has been arrested and three people are injured, with one thought to be a teacher, after a ‘horrifying incident’ at a school in Carmarthenshire, as classrooms remain in ‘lockdown’.
Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, also known as Amman Valley School, in Ammanford in the south Wales county, is on ‘code red’ with unconfirmed reports a stabbing took place this morning.
The incident is thought to have involved two girls before two staff intervened, a senior educational professional, who does not work at the school, told Wales Online.
It is believed a teacher is one of those injured, but this is yet to be confirmed, who was flown by air ambulance 70 miles to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the emergency situation and warned people who had shared footage on social media to remove it ‘to avoid contempt of court and distressing those affected’.
Councillor Karen Davies, a governor at the school, believed a stabbing had taken place and that two staff members were hurt.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his ‘shock’ at the news and thanked emergency services as he said his thoughts are with all those affected.
The school is currently under ‘code red’ and pupils have been put in the canteen in order to preserve the crime scene.
One worried parent said officers would be speaking to classrooms individually before lifting the lockdown.
A person has been arrested after three people were left injured following a ‘major incident’ at a Ysgol Dyffryn Aman school in Carmarthenshire. A large police and ambulance presence can be seen
Crowds of parents are seen waiting outside the school gates watching as emergency workers attend the incident.
Hundreds of worried parents crowded outside the school gates amid earlier unconfirmed reports claimed there had been a knifing at the school, with classrooms being put in ‘lockdown’.
Carmarthenshire County Council moved to reassured parents to say the incident ‘has been contained’ and that family members of the injured had been informed.
Teaching union the Association of School and College Leaders Cymru described it as a ‘horrifying incident’.
Director Eithne Hughes 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.’
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.’
Cllr Davies told Wales Online: I 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.’
Another concerned parent Lisa Barrett said her daughter texted her saying the school had been placed under a lockdown.
She told BBC Wales: ‘This is not something you expect – you drive your child to school and think they will be safe. It is good to know that the children are locked in the classrooms.’
An ambulance can be seen outside the school with worried parents standing outside the building
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and First Minister Vaughan Gething took to X to express their shock over the incident
Mrs Barrett said she had not heard anything from the school as of yet.
‘I am just waiting,’ she added. ‘I don’t know if I should go down there or not.’
Another mother waiting outside the gates, named Rebecca, told ITV Cymru Wales said the school is being kept on ‘code red’.
‘Obviously I’ve seen the blue lights, and I know we don’t blue light unless we have to and I’ve seen the air ambulance leave,’ she said.
‘They’re keeping the school on lockdown – code red as they’re calling it – and the police will be speaking to the classes individually, then take them to get their lunch, then take them back to their classrooms.’
Plaid Cymru leader Liz Saville Roberts wrote on X that her heart ‘goes out to the pupils, families and staff of the school, and to the emergency services who are responding to the situation’.
While First Minister Vaughan Gething was left ‘shocked to hear news of serious incident in Rhydaman’. He wrote on X: ‘A deeply worrying time for the school, families and community. Diolch to first responders.’
Local councillor Rob James said: ‘My thoughts are with the headteacher, teaching staff, parents and pupils of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman after today’s major incident.
‘I have been in contact with Carmarthenshire Council and will provide any support I can to the school during this difficult time.’
Local MP Jonathan Edwards, who is the MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, expressed his concern about the incident on social media.
‘Thoughts are with everyone back home and with the authorities responding,’ he wrote.
The alleged incident is said to have taken place at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, also known as Amman Valley School, in Ammanford in the west Wales county. Pictured: Two air ambulances on the school field
The Welsh language school has 1,800 pupil aged 11 to 18. The school is situated in the north of the Ammanford town centre, while the town itself is a few miles north-east of the western terminus of the M4
One air ambulance is said to have now left the field and is reportedly flying towards the University Hospital in Cardiff. The second remains on site
Adam Price, Plaid Cymru member of the Senedd for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, and a former pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, said his thoughts were with the school.
Mr Price posted on social media platform X: ‘As we wait for more information to be released, my thoughts, like the rest of us, are with the school’s community.’
The Church of All Saints in Ammanford has opened its doors to offer help and pastoral support in response.
Bishop of St Davids, Dorrien Davies, said: ‘My thoughts and prayers are with the injured, the staff, pupils and families of all at Dyffryn Amman School.’
Dyfed-Powys Police and two air ambulances were called to the scene.
One air ambulance is said to have now left the field and is reportedly flying towards the University Hospital in Cardiff. The second remains on site.
The Welsh language school has 1,800 pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is situated in the north of the Ammanford town centre, while the town itself is a few miles north-east of the western terminus of the M4.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies described the incident at a school ‘extremely concerning’.
The alleged incident is said to have taken place at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford in the west Wales county
‘Schools should be a place of safety, learning and discovery, ‘ he said. ‘It is deeply sad and distressing that today teachers and pupils have had that safety shattered by a violent incident.
‘My thoughts are with all staff and pupils at the school, and we thank the emergency services for their work.’
Formers pupils include ex-Wales and British Lions rugby star Shane Williams and former MP Adam Price.
A spokesperson for the local police force 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.’
MailOnline has contacted Welsh Ambulance Service.
