Brave Train Staff Member Suffers Life-Threatening Wounds Amid Multiple Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Service
A courageous train staff member who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass stabbing 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 stop the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and another station in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Authorities declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been released from medical care.
A witness filmed the individual waving a big knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced officers on the platform. He was reportedly heard yelling, "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 – particularly the brave member of train personnel whose family are being supported by specialist officers,” stated a senior police official.
Union Response and Appeals for Action
Train unions were quick to commend staff and call for more action. One union leader stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with government, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest available support, resources and effective protocols in operation”.
A different union leader encouraged the rail company and government “to act swiftly to review safety, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Commended for Quick Thinking
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He didn’t halt the train in the center of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was almost already there,” stated a association representative.
Further Information
Police stated they received the first emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness recounted at first thinking if the situation was a Halloween joke, but quickly understood from people's expressions that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terror-related attack and have requested the community to come forward with any additional details.
Rail services on the impacted route are expected to have delays until the following day, with travelers recommended to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with information that could help the inquiry are encouraged to reach police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.