by Thom Morris
tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

A long-serving PE teacher who used javelins to mark the end of a 1500m race has quit his job after one of his pupils was stabbed through the shoulder when one of them toppled over.

Chris Challis from Mersham, who has taught at Ashford's Norton Knatchbull grammar school for about 25 years, resigned with immediate effect - just days after the incident.

Fourteen-year-old Edward Stuckey, known as Edd, became impaled on the javelin on the school's playing field last Thursday and had to be rushed by air ambulance to Kings College hospital in London. The incident happened during athletics training at about 3.30pm.

Edd was at home recovering from his injuries over the weekend but was being treated this week at Ashford's William Harvey Hospital after picking up a virus while in the London hospital.

His dad Eric told the Kentish Express: "I would like to thank all the emergency services for everything they've done and particularly the air ambulance and all the staff who got the javelin out of him.

"He's back in hospital as he's got a virus or a bug, but he's dealing with it very well. He's a very laidback child but he's just dealt with it and taken it in his stride.

"Right now we're just concentrating on him getting better. The school has been in constant contact and for that we're grateful."

Crews from Ashford fire station were called to the scene and used a small hydraulic hand tool - normally used to free people trapped in cars - to cut away the bulk of the javelin lodged in Edd's shoulder.

The teenager, whose family lives in Albemarle Road, Ashford, was then carried away by paramedics on a stretcher and flown to hospital by the air ambulance, which had landed on the school playing field.

In 2007 Mr Challis - who had stepped down from being in charge of PE and games at the school last September but was still working there - was praised after he helped save the life of pupil Christopher Monkhouse, who had collapsed in the school's changing rooms and stopped breathing.

Performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions, medics said his actions saved the 14-year-old boy's life.

Headteacher at the Hythe Road school Susanne Staab said: "I have been in regular contact with the family and everyone at the school is pleased that Edd is recovering well from his injury.

"As promised, an investigation is under way. A javelin was used to mark the finish line, which is not established practice in the PE department.

"Why the javelin was used on this occasion is part of the ongoing investigation, but the member of staff who was leading the lesson has resigned with immediate effect. The school has since accepted his resignation."
She added: "From speaking to staff and students it appears the wind blew the javelin at an angle and in doing so, Edd made contact with the tail end of the javelin as he completed the run.

"We are determined to ensure that no such accident can happen again in the future, and will take the appropriate action.

"Our main concern was and continues to be Edd's recovery and we all look forward to welcoming him back as soon as he's ready."