Student caught up in US shootings

George and Claire hid in the dormitory as shots were fired

The mother of a Birmingham exchange student caught up in the US university shootings has spoken of her relief that he is safe.

George Barnwell was told to stay in his dormitory at Virginia Tech as a gunman opened fire nearby killing 32 people.

His mother, Jenny, told BBC News that her son, aged 21, was 100 yards away from where the shootings took place.

She added that on his first day at the university he told her that a gunman shot a police officer near the campus.

An escaped prisoner allegedly killed a hospital guard and fled to the university campus where a sheriff's deputy was killed nearby in August 2006.

Mr Barnwell is studying for an engineering degree at Sheffield University and chose to complete his third year at the US university because of its good reputation in his field.

We are just a bit shocked but we're just glad he is ok Jenny Barnwell, George's mother DJ gave on-air alerts

His girlfriend Claire Harrison, also from Birmingham, was visiting him at the college in Blacksburg, Virginia, and also hid in the dormitory as the gunman went on the rampage.

The shootings happened at the engineering building Norris Hall where Mr Barnwell is taught.

His mother said the first she knew of the incident was a message from her son to say he was safe and well.

"Knowing he was ok so quickly was a great relief. They were very lucky," she said.

"The first day he started there last year, he e-mailed us to say a man had shot a police officer on campus and it was evacuated, so it brought home the strange ideas they have about guns in the country.

"We have spoken a few times since and he is due to do his exams and then come home but we don't know what will happen yet.

"We are just a bit shocked but we're just glad he is ok."

Speaking hours after the shooting, Claire Harrison said friends told them to hide in the dorms after hearing gunshots.

She said she is "reeling" from the incident and preparing to return home to the Selly Oak area of Birmingham.