(Left to right) Liz Hopkin and Fiona Elias were named as the victims of the attack in Ammanford (Picture: Rex)
Two teachers who were stabbed in a school playground in South Wales have been named and pictured for the first time today.
Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin were identified as the two victims of the knife attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford at the end of morning break on Wednesday.
A major incident was declared at the school – also known locally as Amman Valley School.
Classrooms were put under lockdown, with pupils only leaving around four hours later.
Ms Hopkin jumped in to intervene during the attack
Ms Elias has been identified as one of the teachers stabbed in the frenzy
Drama and Welsh teacher Ms Elias, who is the head of year seven, and Ms Hopkin, who works with special needs students, were stabbed while trying to save a child who was being attacked.
Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, told Channel 5 News that the two were taken to hospital.
One of them has since been released with injuries to the arm and hand, while the other has been transferred to Cardiff as the ‘situation is far more serious’.
The colleagues are said to be ‘lucky to be alive’, thanks to a ‘hero’ teacher, Darrel Campbell, who is said to have intervened and disarmed a girl.
The school in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, went into lockdown for several hours (Picture: Wales News Service)
Caption: Hero teacher Darrel Campbell cms – HOLD FOR DANimages supplied by dan sanderson – no credit supplied by dan
It is understood that he ‘wrestled the knife’ out of the attacker’s grip, putting her into an armlock until police arrived.
Mr Campbell is said to have not been harmed during the incident. A student was also stabbed, but their injuries are not life-threatening, Dyfed-Powys Police said.
Headteacher James Durbridge praised staff and pupils for their ‘calm and mature response’ to the lockdown in a message on the school’s website.
A teenage girl remains in custody being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder following the stabbing.
Police have asked people not to speculate while their investigation is ongoing.
Dafydd Llywelyn, police and crime commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, said he was deeply shocked.
Mr Llywelyn said: ‘My thoughts go out to all those affected, including the pupils, teachers and staff who were involved or witnessed this terrifying ordeal.
‘Our thoughts are also with the families and friends of those injured.
‘I want to commend those at the scene that ensured that the situation was brought under control and the emergency services who attended to safeguard the scene and reassure the public.’
Mr Llywelyn added: ‘I want to assure the public that the police investigation is ongoing, and that officers and staff will work tirelessly to understand the circumstances surrounding this incident.’
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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