Courageous Rail Staff Member Receives Critical Injuries Amid Multiple Stabbing Incident on Express Service
A courageous train employee who intervened to protect travelers during a mass knife incident on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
CCTV video allegedly shows the staff member trying to halt the attacker as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured victims running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Authorities declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction and Consequences
The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have now been released from medical care.
A witness filmed the individual brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced police on the platform. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the courageous member of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist personnel,” said a high-ranking police officer.
Union Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Train unions were swift to commend employees and call for increased measures. A union leader said he would be “seeking immediate meetings with authorities, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest possible assistance, tools and effective procedures in operation”.
Another union leader encouraged the train operator and authorities “to act quickly to examine security, to help the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Driver Praised for Quick Thinking
The train driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been commended by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He did not stop the service in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” explained a union official.
Further Information
Police said they got the first emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first wondering if the situation was a holiday joke, but soon understood from individuals' expressions that it was real.
Police have stated there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terror-related attack and have asked the public to provide with any further information.
Train services on the affected route are anticipated to have delays until Monday, with passengers advised to defer their travel where feasible.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation are encouraged to contact authorities by texting a specific number with a reference code.