KNIFED ON STREET Aberfan attack: ‘Heavily pregnant’ woman, 29, is stabbed ‘while taking child to school’ as cops hunt knifeman

A "HEAVILY pregnant" 29-year-old woman has been stabbed while reportedly taking her child to school in Aberfan - with cops hunting for the knifeman.

Locals have been urged to avoid the area after the attack at 9.10am this morning, with several schools put on lockdown.

The woman has been taken to hospital after an emergency services including an air ambulance gave her "advanced critical care".

Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Armed police are still in the area, with schools locking down as a precaution.

Witness Katie Roberts told Sky News that the woman was "heavily pregnant".

Roberts said: "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.

"When I looked in the window, I could see her getting stabbed repeatedly, and I just darted out of the house then with towels and he ran off.

"I ran out the house immediately after. I ran to her in the street and held towels against her wounds."

A local mum said: "We heard that all hell broke loose. She is heavily pregnant, maybe seven or eight months and she was taking one of her kids to school.

"But there are police everywhere and we heard the guy got away

"Aberfan has been through enough without all this."

Villager Gareth Jones, 64, told MailOnline: "She's not been here for long and was heavily pregnant - not far from giving birth.

"She was taking her child to one of the local schools when this man came out of nowhere and stabbed her in the street.

"It looks like the fellow is still on the loose, there are police everywhere."

A spokesperson said: "South Wales Police were called just before 9.10am this morning with a report that a 29-year-old woman had been stabbed on Moy Road, Aberfan, Merthyr.

"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.

"Local schools have activated their lockdown protocols to keep pupils safe whilst the incident is ongoing

"We continue to request that people avoid the area so that we can effectively deal with this incident.

"The woman has been taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening at this time."

The Welsh Ambulance Service 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.

"Advanced critical care support was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service.

"We conveyed one patient by road to University Hospital Of Wales, Cardiff for further treatment."

SCHOOL LOCKDOWN

Afon Taf High School, Greenfield Special School, Ynysowen Primary School, Ysgol Rhyd Y Grugand Trinity Childcare all said they have locked down as a precaution - with all staff and children safe.

It is understood that the schools and childcare centre are not connected to the assault.

Some local shops are also thought to have locked their doors after the attack, and a dog walker has postponed all services in the area.

Afon Taf High School told parents: "The school is currently on lockdown due to a police incident in the village.

"All pupils are safe. Please do not contact pupils as everyone is fine."

Greenfield Special School said: "We are aware of an ongoing police incident in Aberfan.

"We just wanted to reassure you that as a precaution we are keeping the pupils safe inside the building, and all perimeter gates are locked.

"Please be assured that we will keep you informed of any updates as and when appropriate."

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Did you see what happened? Email Harry Goodwin: harry.goodwin@the-sun.co.uk

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Ynysowen Primary School told parents: "Due to an incident in the locality school is currently on lockdown as a precautionary measure.

"All children are well, we will update parents in due course.

"Please do not call the school as we are keeping the lines free in case police need to call."

Trinity Childcare said: "We are currently in lockdown as a precaution due to an incident within the community.

"All staff and children are safe."

The Wellbeing community centre has also said it is closed until further notice.

Local MP Gerald Jones said: "I have spoken to police regarding a serious incident in Aberfan this morning.

"You may see an increased police presence in the area and I’d encourage everyone to co-operate with police officers as they deal with the incident."