Brave Train Staff Member Receives Critical Injuries During Multiple Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Train
A courageous train staff member who intervened to protect travelers during a multiple knife incident on a express train has suffered life-threatening injuries, authorities stated on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Event
CCTV footage allegedly shows the employee trying to halt the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in detention for interrogation. Police declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Reaction and Consequences
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been discharged from hospital.
A witness recorded the suspect waving a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced officers on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "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 courageous employee of rail staff whose family are being assisted by trained officers,” said a senior police official.
Union Response and Calls for Measures
Train unions were swift to praise employees and call for increased action. A union leader said he would be “requesting immediate discussions with government, train companies and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible assistance, resources and robust procedures in operation”.
A different union representative urged the rail company and government “to act quickly to examine security, to help the impacted employees, and to make sure nothing like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Thinking
The operator who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not halt the service in the center of two stops where it’s clearly difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he continued traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a association representative.
Additional Information
Police stated they got the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described initially thinking if the event was a holiday joke, but quickly realized from individuals' expressions that it was real.
Authorities have stated there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terror-related incident and have requested the public to provide with any additional details.
Rail services on the affected line are anticipated to experience delays until the following day, with passengers advised to defer their journeys where possible.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation are asked to contact police by texting a specific number with a reference code.
