Heroic Train Staff Member Suffers Critical Injuries Amid Mass Knife Attack on Express Train
A valiant train employee who intervened to save passengers during a mass knife attack on a express train has sustained life-threatening injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Event
CCTV footage reportedly shows the employee attempting to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in custody for interrogation. Police declared a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The incident on the weekend led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been discharged from hospital.
A witness recorded the suspect brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted officers on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the brave employee of train personnel whose family are being supported by trained officers,” stated a high-ranking law enforcement official.
Union Response and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were quick to commend employees and demand more action. A union official said he would be “requesting urgent meetings with authorities, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the best available support, tools and effective procedures in operation”.
Another union leader urged the train operator and government “to move quickly to review safety, to help the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Operator Commended for Rapid Action
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been commended by union officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver did not halt the service in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to reach, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was almost waiting,” explained a union representative.
Additional Information
Police said they got the initial emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer described initially thinking if the situation was a holiday prank, but quickly understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the event was a terrorist incident and have requested the community to come forward with any further details.
Rail operations on the affected route are expected to have disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to defer their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with details that could help the investigation are asked to contact authorities by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.