Bruce in West Oz
Member
Girl shot in chest with crossbow
April 3 2003
Two teenage schoolgirls were shot with a crossbow at a NSW high school today and one was in a critical condition after an arrow hit her in the chest.
Witnesses said the attacker apparently chased students around the school near Port Stephens, shooting a 16-year-old girl through the chest. She was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
A 15-year-old girl was also shot in the leg in the incident at Tomaree High School at Salamander Bay at 8.15am (AEST).
Police said a teenage boy was arrested and was this morning helping police with inquiries.
A caller to Sydney radio 2GB, who said his nephew was a student at the high school, said a senior student tackled the boy as he was about to light a petrol bomb.
"The alleged offender apparently chased the girls around the school," the caller said.
"There's a hero at the school, a Year 12 boy at the school ... who has tackled this offender while he was trying to light a petrol bomb.
"It could have been horrendous."
An ambulance spokesperson said it appeared only one arrow was used in the incident.
The spokesman said crews on the scene had reported the arrow had gone through the girl's chest and struck a second teenager in the legs.
Rescue authorities were called in to cut the arrow from the second girl's leg before she too could be taken to John Hunter Hospital.
I believe crossbows are already restricted or prohibited in New South Wales.
Rather than seeing the folly of prohibition, my guess is that this will provoke a nationwide ban/compulsory surrender of ALL crossbows. The media will have a field day once the girl's parents get on TV .........
Congratulations to the Year 12 (which makes him 16 or 17) boy who took the little down!!
My sincere sympathies to the parents of the girls. And to the rest of the kids who will be totally swamped with self-serving "grief counsellors".
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/03/1048962856686.html
Bruce