Heroic Train Staff Member Endures Severe Wounds Amid Multiple Stabbing Incident on Express Train
A courageous railway employee who stepped in to save travelers during a multiple knife incident on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV video allegedly depicts the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured passengers running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Police declared a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have now been released from hospital.
A bystander recorded the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced officers on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the brave employee of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by specialist officers,” said a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Labor Response and Appeals for Action
Train associations were swift to praise staff and demand increased measures. A union leader stated he would be “seeking urgent discussions with government, train companies and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and effective protocols in place”.
Another association representative urged the rail company and government “to act swiftly to review security, to support the affected employees, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Thinking
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by association officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He didn’t halt the service in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a association representative.
Additional Details
Authorities stated they received the first emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described at first thinking if the event was a Halloween prank, but soon understood from people's expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the incident was a terrorist incident and have asked the public to provide with any further information.
Rail services on the impacted line are anticipated to experience delays until the following day, with passengers advised to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation are asked to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.