Heroic Rail Staff Member Endures Severe Wounds Amid Mass Stabbing Attack on High-Speed Train
A valiant train employee who intervened to protect travelers during a mass stabbing attack on a express train has suffered critical injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Event
Surveillance video reportedly shows the staff member attempting to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Police announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have now been discharged from medical care.
A witness filmed the suspect brandishing a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted police on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the courageous employee of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by specialist officers,” said a high-ranking law enforcement official.
Union Response and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were swift to commend employees and demand more measures. A labor official stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with authorities, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible assistance, tools and robust procedures in place”.
Another association leader encouraged the rail company and authorities “to move quickly to review security, to support the impacted workers, and to ensure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Rapid Action
The train driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He didn’t halt the service in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the first responders to access, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” explained a association representative.
Additional Details
Authorities said they received the initial emergency 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 wondering if the situation was a Halloween prank, but quickly understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Authorities have stated there is nothing to suggest the event was a terrorist incident and have asked the public to provide with any further details.
Train operations on the impacted line are anticipated to have disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to defer their travel where possible.
Individuals with details that could help the inquiry are encouraged to contact authorities by texting a designated number with a reference code.