Brave Rail Staff Member Receives Life-Threatening Wounds During Mass Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Service
A courageous train employee who intervened to protect travelers during a mass knife attack on a express train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
CCTV footage reportedly depicts the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in the county. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured victims running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Authorities declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The event on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have since been released from medical care.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted officers on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the brave member of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by trained personnel,” stated a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Union Reaction and Calls for Action
Train associations were quick to praise employees and call for more measures. A union official stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with government, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible assistance, tools and robust procedures in place”.
Another union representative encouraged the rail company and authorities “to move quickly to examine security, to support the affected workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Rapid Action
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not stop the service in the center of two stops where it’s clearly challenging for the first responders to access, but he continued traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was almost waiting,” stated a union representative.
Further Information
Authorities said they got the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted initially thinking if the situation was a holiday prank, but soon realized from people's faces that it was real.
Authorities have stated there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terror-related attack and have requested the public to come forward with any additional information.
Rail services on the affected line are anticipated to have delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their travel where possible.
Individuals with information that could help the investigation are encouraged to reach police by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.