Brave Rail Staff Member Receives Critical Injuries During Multiple Knife Attack on High-Speed Service
A valiant train employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a multiple stabbing attack on a express train has sustained critical injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Event
Surveillance video reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and another station in the county. Witnesses recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Police announced a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have now been released from hospital.
A bystander recorded the suspect brandishing a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced officers on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. We are thinking of the victims and their families – particularly the courageous employee of train personnel whose family are being assisted by trained personnel,” stated a high-ranking police officer.
Union Response and Calls for Measures
Train associations were quick to praise employees and call for more action. A union official stated he would be “seeking immediate discussions with government, rail employers and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best possible support, resources and effective procedures in place”.
Another association representative urged the train operator and authorities “to act swiftly to examine safety, to help the impacted employees, and to ensure nothing like this occurs again”.
Operator Commended for Rapid Thinking
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver did not halt the train 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 almost already there,” stated a association official.
Further Details
Authorities said they got the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first thinking if the event was a holiday prank, but soon realized from people's expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have stated there is nothing to indicate the event was a terror-related incident and have asked the public to come forward with any additional details.
Rail services on the impacted route are anticipated to experience disruption until the following day, with passengers recommended to defer their journeys where possible.
Individuals with information that could assist the inquiry are encouraged to contact authorities by texting a designated number with a case code.