Courageous Rail Employee Receives Life-Threatening Injuries During Mass Stabbing Incident on Express Train
A brave train staff member who intervened to save passengers during a mass knife attack on a express train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage reportedly shows the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses recounted a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Police declared a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have now been discharged from medical care.
A witness recorded the suspect brandishing a large knife and being subdued with a Taser as he faced police on the platform. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the brave employee of train personnel whose relatives are being assisted by trained personnel,” stated a senior police officer.
Labor Response and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were quick to commend staff and demand increased action. A labor leader stated he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest possible support, tools and effective protocols in place”.
A different union leader encouraged the train operator and authorities “to act quickly to examine security, to help the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.
Driver Commended for Rapid Thinking
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by association representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not stop the train in the center of two stops where it’s clearly difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was almost already there,” stated a association representative.
Additional Details
Authorities said they received the initial emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first wondering if the event was a Halloween prank, but quickly realized from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terrorist attack and have asked the public to provide with any additional information.
Rail operations on the impacted line are expected to have delays until the following day, with travelers advised to postpone their travel where possible.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation are encouraged to reach police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.