ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — A St Elizabeth primary school principal has been hospitalised after a machete wielding man chopped her in front of students and teachers on Friday afternoon.

Reports reaching OBSERVER ONLINE are that students and teachers at Retirement Primary in Maggotty were sent scampering shortly after 2:00 pm when the man attacked the principal.

Chairman of the school board Herman Samuels told OBSERVER ONLINE that students have been left traumatised after witnessing the ordeal.

“He (man) chopped the principal. I don’t know how many chops she got, but I understand that she got one in her forehead, it was in front of the students and teachers. The students are very traumatised. I understand that one student even fainted when she saw the blood,” he said.

OBSERVER ONLINE understands that the man was taken into police custody.

When asked if the man is related to any of the students at the school, Samuels said the man is from the area.

“He is not a parent. He lives possibly close to the school,” Samuels said.