By Denise Clarke, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
TEACHERS AND students at the Petersfield High School in Westmoreland are still in shock after six machete-wielding men invaded the school premises on Tuesday afternoon, attacked and wounded two male students.
The Whithorn Police confirmed that men armed with machetes, entered the property shortly after 2:00 p.m. and chased after the students, before escaping into the adjoining community.
One student was chopped in the head and right arm, while the other was cut on his left arm. They were treated at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital and released.
The Gleaner was reliably informed that other students ran from the school and hid in nearby houses to escape injury.
The men had reportedly gained entry to the school by climbing over the main gate. Up to yesterday afternoon, the police had not ascertained the motive behind the incident.
Principal of the school, Basil Chambers, said it could not have happened at a worse time, when students were preparing for internal examinations that begin Friday.
"It is still affecting us very badly," said Mr. Chambers. "And up to this point we do not know the reason behind it."
This is not the first time that outsiders have invaded the school. In April of this year, seven persons armed with machetes entered the property in search of a student who had had a dispute with a schoolmate outside of the school. The police arrived just in time to apprehend the invaders.
Fencing erected around the school has not prevented outsiders from trespassing. Police periodically patrol the areas surrounding the school, which is located in the heart of a residential community.
