Blundell’s School: Boy, 16, ‘bludgeoned 2 sleeping pupils with hammer at £41k boarding house then attacked housemaster’

THREE people – including two students – suffered serious injuries in an alleged hammer attack at a paying private school.

The horror happened at Blundell’s School in Tiverton, Devon, which was paying £41,000 a year.

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A teenager is said to have beaten up two boarders.

A caretaker is said to have been injured.

A teenager was deliberately arrested by police on suspicion of GBH and is still being questioned today.

The three alleged victims were rushed to hospital after the incident at 1am yesterday when police stormed the school.

I’m a celebrity winner. Georgia Toffolo is among his former students.

The police were joined there by three ambulances, a rescue plane, a rapid response vehicle and hazardous area teams.

Police said the three were being treated for “multiple serious injuries.” The caretaker has since been fired.

A source told the Sun: “I heard there was a fight between two boys in the early hours of the morning over a hammer.

“Someone came to get the caretaker or he was alerted by the noise and rushed to help when he was hit.”

“He was taken to the hospital and required stitches but has since been discharged and returned to school immediately.”

“I think the boys are doing a lot worse.”

Police had previously confirmed there were guns at the scene but did not specify what type.

In a letter to parents, school principal Bart Wielenga said he was confident it was “an isolated case”.

He wrote: “The incident is being investigated by the police and there will be a police presence for some time.”

“The school works closely with the police to comply with its procedures.

“As soon as you receive this letter, I will address the students in the chapel.

“I will assure them that support is available to anyone who is upset about what happened.”

“May I ask you to support the school at this difficult time by not engaging in speculation or posting on social media?”

It’s not clear what led to the brawl or why there was a hammer at the boarding house.

While the investigation continued, forensic officials focused on the school’s boarding house in Petergate.

Supt Antony Hart described the attack as “a very traumatic incident for those involved”.

He added: “As of this writing, it is understood that all involved are associated with the school.”

“I want to reassure the community that there is no major risk and we are not looking for anyone on this matter.

“Throughout the day we will continue to search and investigate the area surrounding the school as we are still in the early stages of our investigation.”

The South Western Ambulance Service said the 911 call was made at 12:57 a.m.

The South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust said: “Three people were taken to hospital by land ambulance.”

Blundell’s School declined to comment.

Forensics officers were seen searching a first-floor room believed to be a bedroom while uniformed officers stood guard outside.

The school has 360 boys and 225 girls and counts former Top Gear “Stig” Ben Collins and Georgia “Toff” Toffolo among its alumni.

It was included in Tatler’s list of the UK’s top private schools in 2022.

Supt Hart added tonight: “We are still determining what happened in the early hours and a full investigation is ongoing.”

“Two teenagers, both of whom were seriously injured, are still hospitalized. One of the boys is in critical condition and the other is in stable condition.

“An adult male who is a member of the school’s staff and has suffered serious injuries has now been discharged from hospital.

“Our investigation is supported by experts assessing the injuries sustained and how they came about.

“While we can confirm that some weapons were found at the scene, it would not be appropriate to speculate on how those weapons may have been involved while our investigation is ongoing.

“Our priority is to fully investigate this incident and to support the victims, their families and the school community. Our thoughts remain with the injured boys, men and their families.”

Richard Foord, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of the students involved.”

“I think we should remember that Tiverton and Devon are, by and large, safe places.

“Devon is one of the safest places to live in the country.

“Devon and Cornwall Police wanted to reassure people and stress that this is an isolated case.

“This is a great reassurance for me and should be for the community as well.”

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