Courageous Train Staff Member Suffers Severe Wounds During Multiple Stabbing Attack on Express Train
A brave train employee who intervened to save travelers during a multiple knife incident on a express train has suffered life-threatening wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
CCTV footage reportedly shows the staff member trying to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Authorities announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The incident on the weekend resulted in 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have since been discharged from medical care.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted police on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the brave employee of train personnel whose family are being supported by specialist officers,” stated a senior police official.
Labor Response and Appeals for Action
Rail unions were quick to praise employees and demand increased measures. One union official stated he would be “seeking urgent discussions with government, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible assistance, tools and effective procedures in operation”.
Another association representative encouraged the rail company and authorities “to act quickly to examine security, to help the affected employees, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Quick Thinking
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by association officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver didn’t stop the service in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the first responders to reach, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much already there,” stated a association representative.
Further Information
Police stated they got the first emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described at first wondering if the situation was a holiday prank, but soon understood from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Police have stated there is nothing to indicate the event was a terror-related incident and have requested the community to provide with any further information.
Rail services on the impacted line are anticipated to experience disruption until the following day, with passengers recommended to postpone their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could assist the inquiry are encouraged to reach authorities by sending a message a specific number with a case code.
