Brave Train Employee Suffers Severe Injuries During Mass Stabbing Attack on High-Speed Service
A brave railway staff member who intervened to save passengers during a multiple stabbing incident on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Authorities announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have now been released from hospital.
A bystander filmed the individual brandishing a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced police on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."
“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 brave member of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by trained officers,” said a high-ranking police officer.
Labor Response and Calls for Measures
Rail associations were quick to commend employees and call for increased action. One labor official said he would be “requesting urgent discussions with authorities, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible support, resources and effective procedures in place”.
A different union representative encouraged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to review security, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Rapid Thinking
The train driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by union officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He didn’t stop the service in the center of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to access, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was almost already there,” explained a association representative.
Additional Details
Authorities stated they received the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted at first wondering if the event was a Halloween prank, but quickly realized from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have stated there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have requested the community to come forward with any additional information.
Rail services on the affected line are anticipated to have disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to defer their travel where feasible.
Anyone with details that could help the inquiry are asked to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.