Heroic Train Staff Member Suffers Severe Wounds Amid Multiple Knife Attack on High-Speed Service
A valiant railway employee who intervened to save passengers during a multiple stabbing attack on a express train has suffered critical wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
Surveillance footage reportedly depicts the employee trying to stop the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through compartments.
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 Aftermath
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 released from hospital.
A bystander filmed the individual brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted officers on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, kill me."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. 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 family are being supported by specialist officers,” stated a senior law enforcement official.
Union Reaction and Calls for Measures
Rail unions were swift to commend staff and call for more action. One labor official said he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the best possible assistance, tools and effective protocols in place”.
Another association representative encouraged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to examine security, to support the affected workers, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Driver Commended for Rapid Thinking
The operator 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”.
“The driver didn’t stop the service in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much already there,” stated a association representative.
Additional Information
Police stated they received the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer recounted at first thinking if the event was a Halloween prank, but quickly understood from people's expressions that it was real.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the incident was a terror-related incident and have requested the public to come forward with any further information.
Train services on the impacted line are expected to experience disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to postpone their travel where possible.
Anyone with details that could assist the investigation are encouraged to contact authorities by sending a message a designated number with a case code.