Three people hurt and one arrested during ‘major incident’ at school in Ammanford in West Wales
Three people have been injured in a “major incident” at a school in West Wales.
Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Carmarthenshire has been closed as investigations continue into a reported stabbing on Wednesday, Dyfed-Powys Police said.
A local councillor who serves on the school’s governing body said she had been told the incident involved a stabbing.
Those injured were said to be receiving treatment.
One person has been arrested and police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Emergency services remain at the scene and the force said it is working closely with the school and Carmarthenshire County Council.
Pupils were released from the school at about 3.20pm, after it had been in lockdown since about 11am.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
Police have asked people not to speculate as the investigation is ongoing.
A spokesperson for Ysgol Dyffryn Aman said the family members of the injured have been informed.
“We would like to reassure parents and the public that the incident has been contained,” they added.
The comprehensive school in the town of Ammanford has about 2,000 pupils.
Police did not give the ages of those hurt or of the person who has been detained.
Parents wait at the gates of Amman Valley school. Pic: PA
Emergency services at the scene
‘Deeply worrying’
Hundreds of parents were assembled outside the school by 3pm, waiting to collect their children from the school.
Rachel Young, a parent at the school, told Sky News her daughter and other pupils had been “locked” in the classroom.
“She’s fine but they’ve locked them in the classroom” she said.
“She’s scared obviously. She says she’s fine, but they all say ‘I’m fine’ but they’re obviously not going to be and what’s going to happen from now on, I don’t know. We don’t even know if the school’s going to be open.
“I wanted to get here. I rang the school and they said they’re not allowing anyone in or anyone out, but they couldn’t really comment any further than that.”
Pic PA
Emergency services at the scene
Councillor Rob James, who represents Lliedi ward, 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.”
First Minister Vaughan Gething said he was “shocked to hear” about the incident, adding it was “a deeply worrying time for the school, families and community”.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his “shock” at the news.
“I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response and my thoughts are with all those affected,” he said.
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In an interview with WalesOnline, Councillor Karen Davies – a LEA governor at the school – said she had been told there was a stabbing.
“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,” she told the news website.
“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.”
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, described the incident as “violent” and said it was “deeply sad and distressing”.
Adam Price, Senedd member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, said: “As we wait for more information to be released, my thoughts, like the rest of us, are with the school’s community.”
Emergency response
A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said the service was called shortly after 11.15am to an incident on Margaret Street.
“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,” the spokesperson added.
“Advanced critical care support was delivered by the emergency medical Retrieval and Transfer Service in two Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopters.”
The Wales Air Ambulance confirmed it was in attendance at an incident in the region.
“We mobilised three critical care teams at 11.30am. Our Dafen and Welshpool based crew were mobilised by air and our Cardiff based crew was mobilised by road,” they said.
“Unfortunately, we cannot comment any further.”
The UK has joined US forces in attacking a Houthi target in Yemen for the first time since Donald Trump was re-elected.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the strikes took place on Tuesday as part of the government’s response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The ministry said careful intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings used by the Houthis to manufacture the sort of drones used to attack ships, located 15 miles south of the capital Sanaa.
RAF Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on several buildings using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs.
The planes had air refuelling support from Voyager tankers.
The ministry said the strike was conducted after dark to reduce the likelihood of civilians being in the area.
All the aircraft returned safely.
John Healey. Pic: Reuters
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This government will always act in the interests of our national and economic security.
“Royal Air Force Typhoons have successfully conducted strikes against a Houthi military target in Yemen and all UK aircraft and personnel have returned safely to base.
“We conducted these strikes, supported by the US, to degrade Houthi capabilities and prevent further attacks against UK and international shipping.”
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Houthis a ‘persistent threat’ to ‘freedom of navigation’
Mr Healey said Houthi activities in the Red Sea are a “persistent threat” to “freedom of navigation”.
“A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fuelling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK,” he said.
“The government is steadfast in our commitment to reinforcing global stability and protecting British working people. I am proud of the dedication and professionalism shown by the service men and women involved in this operation.”
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
US intensifies strikes on Houthis
It was the first time UK forces have struck a target in Yemen since May last year, the ministry confirmed.
The US has intensified its strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis under Mr Trump’s presidency, after his re-election in November 2024.
The group began launching attacks on shipping routes in November 2023 saying they were in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
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Footage showing people being pulled from rubble has been released by Houthi rebels in Yemen
The strike came after a Houthi-controlled TV channel claimed a US strike killed 68 people at a detention centre for African migrants in Yemen on Monday.
UK
No criminal charges over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson whose neck was cut by opponent’s skate
No criminal charges will be brought over the death of an ice hockey player who died during a match in Sheffield, prosecutors have announced.
Nottingham Panthers’ Adam Johnson died in October 2023 after his neck was cut by an opposition player’s skate during a match at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
The Sheffield Steelers player, Matthew Petgrave, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and later bailed – but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now said it will not bring criminal charges against the Canadian.
Michael Quinn, deputy chief crown prosecutor, said: “This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident. The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved.
“Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
Tributes were left outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham following the ice hockey player’s death. Pic PA
Before joining Nottingham Panthers, the Minnesota-born Johnson played in Pennsylvania for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Sweden for the Malmo Redhawks.
He also played in California for Ontario Reign and in Germany for Augsburger Panther.
A post-mortem examination confirmed the 29-year-old died as a result of the fatal neck injury.
The crowd of 8,000 spectators watched in horror as desperate attempts were made to save his life as he lay on the ice, shielded by fellow players.
The game was abandoned and spectators were asked to leave in the aftermath.
Pic PA
Kari Johnson, Johnson’s aunt, was watching the match via a livestream with his father and grandmother when he was fatally injured.
Speaking to Sky News at the time, Ms Johnson said: “It was a mess, it was a nightmare, it was like it wasn’t real. We were in shock, we couldn’t believe this was happening.”
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Kari Johnson said her nephew was ‘a kind soul’
Ms Johnson described her nephew as a “kind soul” and a “private kid” who “never would have wanted to be in the limelight like this”.
He simply wanted to be “good at hockey and have fun”, she said, adding he was “having the time of his life in the UK” and was planning to get engaged to his girlfriend.
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In January 2024, Sheffield’s senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, suspended her investigation while the police inquiry took its course.
It later emerged that Ms Rawden had issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) about the use of neck guards in the sport.
In the report, Ms Rawden said she was “sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn”, with the bodies given 56 days to say what action had been taken – or why action had not been taken.
Neck guards have been mandatory in the Elite League (EIHL), in which the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers compete, since January 2024.
This followed the International Ice Hockey Federation’s decision in December to mandate the use of neck laceration protectors for its competitions.
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