Weapons have been found by police following an assault at a private school on Friday morning which has left two students in hospital.
One boy is in a critical condition after the incident at Blundell’s School in Tiverton, Devon.
A 16-year-old boy from the town has been arrested on suspicion of three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Devon and Cornwall Police said “some weapons were located at the scene”.
The second injured boy also remains in hospital in a stable condition, and a male staff member has been discharged after also receiving serious injuries.
Supt Antony Hart said this was “a very traumatic incident for those involved”.
He added on Friday afternoon: “We are still establishing what happened in the early hours of this morning and an extensive investigation continues.”
Supt Hart added: “While we can confirm some weapons were located at the scene, it would not be appropriate to speculate on how these may have been involved while our enquiries continue.
“Our priority is to fully investigate this incident and support the victims, their families and the school community.”
In a letter to parents and guardians of students – seen by the BBC – school head Bart Wielenga said he was “confident that this was an isolated incident”.
He said there would be a police presence around Petergate, one of the school’s boarding houses, for “some time”.
Mr Wielenga said in the letter that the school was working closely with police, adding he would be addressing pupils and support would be available.
He urged parents not to engage in speculation or post on social media.
South Western Ambulance Service said it was called at 00:57 BST.
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: “We sent three double-crewed land ambulances, an air ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and hazardous area response teams.
“Three individuals were conveyed by land ambulance to hospital.”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said she was liaising with Victim Support to be on hand at the school to provide specialist support for anyone who needs it.
The commissioner said: “Incidents of this nature are always shocking, but when they take place in a school setting they are particularly distressing and my thoughts are with everyone involved.”
Blundell’s School – which has fees of £41,325 a school year for a boarder – told the BBC it would not be commenting on the matter at this time.
Source – BBC News
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