Courageous Train Staff Member Suffers Severe Wounds During Multiple Stabbing Attack on Express Train
A courageous train staff member who stepped in to protect travelers during a multiple knife attack on a express train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Terrifying Incident
CCTV footage reportedly shows the employee attempting to stop the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Police announced a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Crisis 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 the station in Huntingdon. Five people have now been discharged from hospital.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he confronted police on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, kill me."
“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 member of rail staff whose family are being supported by trained personnel,” stated a senior police official.
Labor Response and Calls for Action
Rail associations were swift to praise staff and demand more action. One union leader stated he would be “requesting urgent meetings with government, train companies and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures in operation”.
Another association leader encouraged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to review safety, to support the affected employees, and to ensure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Praised for Quick Thinking
The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been praised by association officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver didn’t stop the train in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” stated a association representative.
Additional Information
Authorities stated they received the initial distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first wondering if the event was a holiday joke, but quickly understood from people's expressions that it was real.
Police have stated there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terror-related attack and have requested the community to come forward with any further details.
Train services on the affected route are expected to experience disruption until the following day, with travelers recommended to defer their journeys where possible.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation are encouraged to reach authorities by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.
