A Houston-area assistant principal was hospitalized with head injuries after intervening in a fight only to have students watching the fight begin to pummel her.

The fight Thursday at Westfield High School was caught on camera and proceeded to make waves on social media. Students captured in the footage can be heard exhorting other members of the throng to violence. Students yelled: “Everybody kick the ho!”

The assistant principal, who was not identified by the school, had to be hospitalized. She suffered excruciating head pain that leaves her unable to speak, her family explained to KPRC-TV in Houston. Social media accounts allege that the woman suffered a seizure, but that claim was not corroborated.

In a statement, the Spring Independent School District offered its interpretation of the events.

“An altercation occurred between multiple students at Westfield High School 9th Grade Center, resulting in a precautionary hold. School administrators and police officers were able to intervene and stop the fighting quickly, and identify students involved for discipline. As a result of the incident, a staff member was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. All students involved in the altercation will be subject to the full extent of disciplinary action available,” the district wrote.

A teacher at Westfield High School, who went unnamed to avoid retaliation, disagreed with officials’ assertion that safety is taken seriously.

“When you call for help to the front office, nobody ever shows up. We don’t feel safe. Faculty don’t feel safe. … If the parents knew how unsafe the inside of the school is, they would be upset,” the teacher told KPRC-TV.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.