Brave Train Staff Member Receives Severe Wounds During Multiple Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Service
A courageous train employee who intervened to save travelers during a mass stabbing attack on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Particulars of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage reportedly depicts the employee attempting to halt the attacker as the train journeyed between a city and another station in the county. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured passengers fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for interrogation. Police declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The event on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been discharged from medical care.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted police on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, kill me."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – particularly the courageous employee of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by trained personnel,” said a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Labor Response and Calls for Action
Train unions were swift to praise employees and demand more action. One labor leader stated he would be “requesting urgent discussions with government, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the best available assistance, resources and effective procedures in operation”.
A different association representative urged the rail company and government “to move swiftly to examine safety, to support the affected employees, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Action
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He didn’t halt the service in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to reach, but he continued going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,” stated a union representative.
Additional Information
Authorities stated they got the first emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first thinking if the event was a holiday prank, but quickly realized from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terror-related attack and have requested the public to provide with any further details.
Rail services on the impacted line are expected to experience disruption until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could assist the investigation are encouraged to reach police by texting a specific number with a reference code.
