Pupils and staff at Newport’s Hunnyhill Primary School were placed into lockdown this lunchtime (Tuesday) when a man entered the school grounds asking for medical assistance.
Island Echo understands that the educational facility was locked down at around 12:40 when the 36-year-old man gained access to the school playground whilst pupils were enjoying their lunch break.
A plethora of emergency vehicles from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service rushed to the scene on Forest Road, quickly detaining the unknown individual, who was – according to eyewitnesses – led from the school on a stretcher.
A handful of concerned parents – who had seen posts about the major response on social media – turned up at the school in a bid to find out what had happened. Those at the scene told Island Echo that the school office released a statement via ClassDojo saying:
“Following a school invacuation (lockdown) at lunchtime today, this process is now complete and we would like to reassure you that all pupils and staff are safe”.

The incident was quickly brought under control with emergency personnel beginning to stand down at around 13:30.
It has been confirmed to Island Echo that the man was passed into the care of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service for further medical treatment at St Mary’s Hospital.
Speaking on the matter, the Isle of Wight Council has said:
“It is confirmed, as a precaution Hunnyhill Primary School instigated their school lockdown procedure at lunchtime today. This was attended by the police and this process is now complete and concluded. We would like to reassure that all pupils and staff are safe and school activity has returned to normal.”
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has said:
“We were called to Hunnyhill Primary School on Forest Road in Newport at 12:40pm on Tuesday 21 January following reports that a man had entered the school site requesting medical assistance.
“It was quickly established this was a concern for welfare call and officers attended to assist our colleagues from the ambulance service.
“A 36 year-old man has subsequently been taken for medical treatment by our colleagues from the ambulance service”.
It was just last week that staff and pupils at Medina College – also in Newport – were also allegedly put into lockdown. Rumours of an individual seen armed with a knife were put to bed when Police confirmed they had not been called to the school.
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