Courageous Rail Staff Member Suffers Severe Wounds Amid Mass Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Service
A courageous train employee who intervened to save travelers during a mass knife attack on a express train has sustained life-threatening injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
Surveillance footage reportedly depicts the employee trying to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Police announced a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Reaction and Consequences
The event on the weekend led to 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have now been discharged from medical care.
A witness filmed the individual waving a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted officers on the platform. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. We are thinking of the victims and their families – particularly the brave member of train personnel whose family are being supported by trained personnel,” stated a senior law enforcement official.
Labor Reaction and Calls for Action
Train unions were quick to commend employees and demand increased action. A labor official stated he would be “seeking urgent discussions with authorities, train companies and police to ensure that we have the best available support, tools and robust procedures in place”.
A different union leader encouraged the train operator and authorities “to act swiftly to review safety, to help the affected employees, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Rapid Action
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He did not halt the service in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to access, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was almost already there,” explained a association official.
Further Information
Authorities stated they received the initial distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first thinking if the event was a holiday prank, but quickly understood from individuals' expressions that it was real.
Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the event was a terror-related incident and have asked the public to come forward with any further information.
Rail operations on the affected route are expected to have delays until the following day, with travelers advised to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with details that could assist the inquiry are encouraged to reach police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.