Pontypridd shop collapse man 'not a crime victim'

South Wales Police say the 51-year-old man who collapsed in a Pontypridd supermarket on Wednesday is no longer believed to have been the victim of a crime.

The man was found have a stab wound to the stomach.

He has now been discharged from hospital, but faces further questions from officers.

“I am very keen to reassure the community after yesterday’s dramatic events which no doubt caused concern" says Inspector Nigel Griffiths.

“There was speculation that the man involved has been stabbed by somebody but we can now confirm this did not happen."

“I’d like to thank the people of Pontypridd for the cooperation and support they showed in the town centre yesterday afternoon.”

Investigations are continuing tonight after a man was apparently assaulted in Pontypridd town centre this afternoon. Eyewitnesses say the man was stabbed and traffic was stopped as an air ambulance took him to hospital. Mike Griffiths reports.

South Wales Police say the injury to the man involved in an incident in Taff Street, Pontypridd is not life threatening.

At 12.30pm, police and paramedics were called to the Tesco Express store where a 51 year-old man was in need of medical attention for a single puncture wound to his abdomen.

He was taken by air ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales where he is in a stable condition.

The circumstances surrounding this incident as yet are unknown and under investigation.

A Welsh Ambulance Service says "the Helimed helicopter were dispatched to the scene, and a man with abdominal injuries was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales.”

Police in Pontypridd are currently dealing with an incident which occurred at around 12:30pm in the area of Taff Street, Pontypridd.

Officers temporarily closed Sardis Road so that a man could be taken by air ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales.The circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation but early indications suggest he was assaulted.

It is unknown at this stage how serious his injuries are.

Anyone who was in the area at that time who may have seen anything suspicious is urged to contact police via 101 or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The centre of Pontypridd has been cornered-off around Taff Street as an air ambulance landed a short time ago.

South Wales ambulance service confirmed they are attending an incident on Taff Street after receiving a call at 12.36

The following crews are still at the scene: a rapid response vehicle, one emergency ambulance, a Helimed helicopter and a doctor.