St Columb’s students who witnessed attack offered support by psychologists

Children who witnessed a scalpel attack on one young pupil by another have been offered support by psychologists.
A Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is advising staff at St Columb’s College in Derry following the stabbing of a 13-year-old at the school.
The boy was treated for a puncture wound to his stomach after a 12-year-old fellow student attacked him on the grounds of the school at lunch time on Friday last.
The boy was taken to hospital where his wound was closed with a single staple. He is now recovering at home.
A spokeswoman for the Western Education and Library Board confirmed the involvement of the response team.
The WELB’s Critical Incident Response Team consists of educational psychologists and education welfare officers, who respond to critical incidents within a school setting.
They offer guidance, advice and emotional support to schools’ staff and pupils to reduce confusion and minimise the impact of the crisis.