Heroic Train Staff Member Receives Severe Wounds During Multiple Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Train
A courageous train staff member who intervened to protect travelers during a multiple knife attack on a express train has sustained life-threatening wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Terrifying Incident
CCTV footage allegedly shows the staff member attempting to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and another station in the county. Bystanders described a frightening 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in detention for interrogation. Authorities declared a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The event on Saturday night led to 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have since been released from hospital.
A witness recorded the suspect waving a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he confronted police on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "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 courageous employee of rail staff whose family are being supported by trained officers,” said a senior law enforcement officer.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Train unions were quick to praise employees and call for increased action. A labor official said he would be “seeking urgent meetings with government, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest possible assistance, resources and effective protocols in operation”.
A different union leader encouraged the train operator and government “to move swiftly to review security, to help the affected employees, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Thinking
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver didn’t stop the service in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he continued traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” stated a union representative.
Further Information
Authorities said they got the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer described initially wondering if the situation was a Halloween prank, but quickly understood from people's faces that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the incident was a terrorist attack and have asked the public to provide with any further information.
Train operations on the impacted route are anticipated to have delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to postpone their travel where possible.
Anyone with details that could assist the investigation are encouraged to reach police by texting a designated number with a case code.
