FIVE people have been arrested and released on bail after a man was shot in the head at Llanelli train station.

The 20-year-old man — who needed hospital treatment after the incident on Saturday afternoon — sustained minor injuries and was released after treatment at Prince Philip Hospital.

Armed police swooped on the station at Great Western Crescent at around 1.25pm and sealed off the area following reports of a firearms incident.

Three local men and two women were arrested, but have now been released on bail pending further police inquiries.

Train services to Llanelli were delayed and replacement bus services were provided as emergency services dealt with the incident.

Eye witness Michael Williams, of Millennium Quay, said: "It was my birthday and a group of us were about to catch a train to Swansea.

"Catching up with some mates, I walked onto the station platform with a friend and noticed there wasn't anyone standing there — I thought it was a bit strange.

"That's when I noticed there was specks of blood on the floor.

"Suddenly a friend shouted at us to get in the ticket office, he said there had been some sort of shooting.

"I thought he was joking but that's when I saw a man holding his head — there was blood everywhere.

"Then the place filled with armed police and a helicopter was hovering overhead.

"I thought the situation had been blown out of proportion — but thinking about it later on it could have ended much worse."

Another witness was Emyr Williams, of Llangennech.

He said: "When I arrived at the station platform I heard a strange noise, like a ping.

"As I was thinking that the noise was a bit strange, a woman shouted at me to get into the ticket office.

"At first I laughed — things like that just don't happen in Llanelli, I just thought it was a kid messing about.

"But then the police said they were also being shot at. It was so surreal, it took about 15 minutes for it to dawn on me that this could be a really serious incident."

The patient was transferred to Llanelli's Prince Philip Hospital and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A spokesman said an air rifle believed to have been used in the incident had been recovered.

Police are appealing for witnesses to call them on 101, or on 0845 330 2000 if calling from outside the force area.

chantelle.rees@swwmedia.co.uk