Brave Train Employee Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries During Multiple Stabbing Attack on Express Service
A brave railway staff member who intervened to protect passengers during a multiple stabbing incident on a express train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
CCTV video reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for interrogation. Police declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Consequences
The event on the weekend led to 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have now been released from medical care.
A witness filmed the individual waving a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he confronted officers on the station. He was reportedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the courageous member of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist officers,” said a senior law enforcement official.
Labor Response and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were swift to praise staff and call for more measures. One labor official said he would be “requesting immediate meetings with government, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, tools and robust procedures in place”.
A different union representative urged the rail company and authorities “to act swiftly to examine safety, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Driver Praised for Rapid Thinking
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver didn’t halt the train 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 assistance was almost waiting,” explained a association official.
Further Details
Authorities stated they received the initial distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described at first wondering if the situation was a holiday joke, but soon realized from individuals' expressions that it was real.
Police have stated there is nothing to indicate the event was a terrorist incident and have requested the community to provide with any further details.
Rail services on the affected route are expected to have delays until the following day, with travelers advised to defer their travel where feasible.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation are asked to reach authorities by texting a specific number with a case code.