Teacher who intervened in Ammanford stabbing does not think himself a hero
A teacher who was first on the scene after a stabbing at a Welsh school does not think of himself as a hero, his brother has said.
Darrel Campbell, the head of Year 11 and a former rugby player, put the suspect in an armlock until police arrived.
The girl was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after chaos erupted at the end of morning break at Amman Valley School, also known as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, in Carmarthenshire on Wednesday.
A teenage girl remains in police custody.
One teacher was stabbed in the neck and airlifted out of school grounds, according to reports. Another teacher was injured and so was a pupil.
Cefin Campbell, a member of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) for Mid and West Wales, told BBC Radio Wales his brother worked at the school as a teacher and intervened in the incident.
Mr Campbell, also a former student of Amman Valley School, said: “He’s been a teacher there for 40 years and he was involved in the incident yesterday in the sense that he was the first to the scene and he obviously had to deal with a very distressing and chaotic situation.
“He probably did what most people would have done in the same situation, try to calm things and restrain people from making the situation worse. Obviously he’s been shaken by the whole experience, as of all the staff, pupils, parents and so on.
“But I think it’s the sense of shock because he’s been there for 40 years as a teacher, he’s never ever seen anything like this.
“I think that hits home to people that it should happen in a place like this.”
A schoolgirl witness said: “Everyone was running and there were screams.
“Mr Campbell arrived on the scene and put her in an armlock.”
Pupils hid in toilets and cupboards as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, went into lockdown for four hours.
The two injured teachers have been named as Fiona Elias, the head of Year Seven, and Liz Hopkins, a special needs teacher.
A colleague told MailOnline that they suffered non-life threatening injuries and were both “on the mend”.
On the school’s website James Durbridge, the head teacher, said: “Today has been a very difficult day. It goes without saying that my thoughts are with the three individuals and their families, who have been affected by today’s incident.
“We are proud to have witnessed pupils embodying the school’s core values while supporting their peers and staff.
“I wish to commend all staff and pupils for their calm and mature response during today’s lockdown.”
Sup Int Ross Evans said: “As can be expected with an incident as serious as this, there will continue to be a police presence at the school throughout the day today.
“Officers at the scene will be looking for evidence to assist the investigation, while other specialist teams will analyse any information submitted through our dedicated web page.
“We understand the level of concern in the community as people try to process the incident. We urge anyone affected by yesterday’s events to seek support, and not to share any videos, photos or information that might cause further distress to pupils or parents at the school.
“We continue to work with Carmarthenshire county council and other agencies as they provide support to those affected by yesterday’s events.”
Mr Durbridge said the school’s 1,500 pupils could get “wellbeing support” if they were affected by what they saw in the playground.
The school playground has been designated a crime scene and a path between the old and new school buildings has been cordoned off while forensic officers examine the scene.
Dyfed-Powys Police said a knife had been recovered.
