Aberfan stabbing: Police extend cordon in South Wales as manhunt continues after 'really shocking' attack
A school and a childcare centre were placed in lockdown while armed police searched for the suspect. Witnesses have described seeing him run away.
Tuesday 5 December 2023 17:26, UK
A manhunt has been launched in South Wales after a 29-year-old woman was stabbed in Aberfan.
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Armed officers are part of the response, police have said, while residents have been urged to avoid the area with the suspect still on the run.
The police cordon has been extended this afternoon, Sky News's Wales reporter Tomos Evans reports, as the investigation continues.
Aberfan stabbing as it unfolded
"The suspect left the scene immediately after the incident and enquiries are ongoing to find him. A search of the immediate area is being carried out by armed officers," police said this morning.
The woman, who one witness told Sky News appeared to be heavily pregnant, has been taken to hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Local schools and childcare facilities were earlier placed into lockdown as a precaution.
'I held towels against her wounds'
Katie Roberts, who lives near the scene, told Sky News: "I heard some screams this morning. I looked out my window and saw a man on top of a woman.
"I thought he was punching her at first - but then I realised he was stabbing her in the back.
"I ran out of the house immediately after. I ran to her in the street and held towels against her wounds."
The veterinary nurse, 31, said another witness called for an ambulance for the woman.
"It is really shocking that this has happened," she added.
"My husband has lived here all his life, and he said it just doesn't happen here."
'My daughter screamed'
Lynne Terrett, from Merthyr Tydfil, said her daughter, Kira Terrett, was walking her dog near her home when she witnessed the incident.
She said that her daughter looked around after she heard the sound of a woman running towards her.
"The woman fell," she said.
"My daughter screamed, and people came out from everywhere."
Another resident, Susan Prothero, who has lived in Aberfan for 30 years, said: "It's a very quiet area. I have lived here 30 years and nothing like this has happened here."
The incident took place on Moy Road just before 9.10am this morning, with several local facilities - including Greenfield School - locked down shortly afterwards when the police manhunt got underway.
The headteacher of the school later confirmed the lockdown had been lifted.
Trinity Childcare and Family Centre had also gone into a lockdown "as a precaution", it said on social media earlier.
Air ambulance responded to 'serious incident'
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called today at approximately 9.10am to reports of an incident in Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil.
"We sent one emergency ambulance, one air ambulance and one Cymru High Acuity Response unit to the scene where advanced critical care support was delivered.
"We conveyed one patient by road to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff for further treatment."
Gerald Jones, Labour MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, described Aberfan as a "very close knit, tight community".
"The community centre and the schools are very close by, hence the reason why police are keen for people not to go to the area," he told Sky News earlier today.
"The community centre has closed its doors for the moment, and the schools have locked down as well because they are in very close proximity to Moy Road.
"The community, as I said, is a very tight-knit community so there is, undoubtedly, serious concern within the community."
He added that he had been assured by police that they were dealing with the incident "as quickly and effectively as they can".
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Welsh Senedd member, Dawn Bowden, said in a post on social media: "I am aware of a serious incident in Aberfan this morning.
"I have spoken to the police and will await further information from them.
"However, please take advice given by the police, who will be grateful for your co-operation while this incident is dealt with."