Brave Train Staff Member Receives Severe Injuries During Multiple Stabbing Incident on Express Train
A brave train staff member who stepped in to save travelers during a mass knife attack on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance video reportedly shows the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Police announced a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Consequences
The event on the weekend led to 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have since been discharged from medical care.
A witness filmed the individual brandishing a big knife and being shot with a stun device as he confronted police on the platform. He was allegedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the courageous member of train personnel whose relatives are being supported by trained personnel,” stated a senior law enforcement official.
Union Response and Calls for Measures
Rail unions were swift to praise staff and call for more action. A union official stated he would be “seeking urgent discussions with government, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible support, tools and robust protocols in operation”.
Another association representative encouraged the rail company and government “to move swiftly to examine security, to help the affected workers, and to ensure nothing like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Quick Thinking
The operator who stopped the train at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been praised by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not halt the train in the center of two stops where it’s clearly challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was almost waiting,” explained a association representative.
Additional Details
Police said they got the initial distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer recounted initially thinking if the event was a Halloween prank, but soon realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Authorities have stated there is nothing to indicate the event was a terror-related incident and have requested the community to provide with any additional details.
Train operations on the affected line are expected to experience disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to postpone their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could help the investigation are asked to contact police by texting a designated number with a case code.
