An 18-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman, also 18, was allegedly stabbed at a school in Far North Queensland.
Police will allege the man approached the fellow Peace Lutheran College student who was seated with friends during a school break, before allegedly stabbing her with a knife multiple times before being restrained by staff and other students, about 10:25am.
Queensland Ambulance Service said paramedics took the injured student from the suburb Kamerunga to Cairns Hospital in a critical condition.
A spokesman for Cairns Hospital confirmed her condition was still critical.
Police say the pair are believed to have known one another and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
"Beyond that, we're certainly investigating what the relationship is between the parties," Detective Acting Inspector Jason Chetham said.
He said "about 10 or so [people] were in the near vicinity and came running when there was a commotion".
"I'm not going to go into too much specifics, but it was a fairly quick event," he said.
He said police had found a knife they allege was used.
Police have interviewed some students and staff.
The incident happened on school grounds, although Inspector Chetham declined to say exactly where.
"It's quite a contained area and [the students] were able to go back into the school buildings there and continue, somewhat, with the day," he said.
The 18-year-old Caravonica man will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Injured student 'in prayers'
In a statement, Peace Lutheran College said all parents had been contacted.
"There is no ongoing threat to the school community," the school said.
"The school will continue to assist Queensland Police Service in their investigations.
"All other students and staff are safe and being provided with support."
In a further statement, the school said it was focused on supporting all members of the community who had been affected by the incident.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all members of our community during this difficult time," the statement said.
"The safety and wellbeing of all members of our community is our highest priority.
"We ask the community to keep our injured student in their prayers."
Inspector Chetham said it was "a horrific event".
"But it was isolated — there was no other parties involved so it is safe to attend school tomorrow," he said.
Forensic staff are expected to keep examining the crime scene into Wednesday.
