Heroic Rail Staff Member Receives Life-Threatening Injuries Amid Multiple Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Service
A brave railway employee who intervened to save travelers during a multiple knife attack on a express train has sustained critical wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
Surveillance video allegedly depicts the staff member attempting to halt the assailant as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Police declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been released from hospital.
A bystander recorded the individual brandishing a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced police on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – particularly the brave member of train personnel whose relatives are being supported by specialist personnel,” stated a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Union Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were swift to praise employees and call for more measures. A union official stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best possible support, tools and effective procedures in place”.
Another association representative encouraged the rail company and authorities “to act swiftly to examine safety, to help the affected employees, and to ensure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Commended for Quick Thinking
The operator who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He didn’t halt the service in the middle of two stops where it’s clearly difficult for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” explained a union official.
Additional Details
Police stated they got the initial distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer recounted initially thinking if the event was a Halloween joke, but quickly realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the event was a terror-related incident and have requested the public to come forward with any additional details.
Rail services on the affected line are expected to experience disruption until Monday, with passengers recommended to postpone their travel where possible.
Anyone with details that could help the inquiry are asked to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.
