Heroic Train Staff Member Endures Severe Injuries During Multiple Knife Attack on Express Train
A courageous train employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a multiple knife incident on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
Surveillance video reportedly shows the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in detention for interrogation. Police declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Consequences
The event on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have now been discharged from hospital.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted police on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the courageous employee of train personnel whose relatives are being assisted by specialist personnel,” stated a senior police officer.
Labor Response and Calls for Measures
Rail unions were quick to commend employees and demand more measures. A union leader stated he would be “requesting urgent meetings with government, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the best possible support, tools and robust procedures in operation”.
Another association leader encouraged the rail company and government “to move swiftly to review safety, to help the impacted workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver 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 “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not halt the service in the center of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” stated a association official.
Additional Details
Authorities said 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.
An observer recounted initially wondering if the event was a Halloween joke, but quickly realized from individuals' faces that it was serious.
Authorities have stated there is no evidence to suggest the incident was a terror-related incident and have requested the community to come forward with any additional information.
Rail services on the affected line are anticipated to have delays until the following day, with travelers advised to defer their travel where feasible.
Anyone with information that could assist the inquiry are asked to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.