Heroic Rail Employee Receives Critical Wounds Amid Multiple Knife Incident on Express Train
A courageous train staff member who stepped in to save passengers during a mass stabbing attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Incident
CCTV video reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a frightening 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national 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 central London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been released from medical care.
A bystander recorded the suspect waving a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he faced police on the station. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. We are thinking of the victims and their families – particularly the brave member of train personnel whose relatives are being supported by specialist personnel,” said a senior law enforcement official.
Labor Response and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were quick to praise staff and demand increased action. One union official stated he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the strongest available assistance, tools and effective protocols in operation”.
A different association representative encouraged the rail company and government “to act swiftly to examine safety, to help the impacted employees, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Driver Commended for Quick Thinking
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver didn’t halt the train in the middle of two stops where it’s clearly challenging for the first responders to access, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,” stated a union representative.
Further Information
Police said they received the initial emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness described at first wondering if the event was a holiday prank, but soon understood from people's faces that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have asked the community to come forward with any further details.
Rail operations on the affected line are anticipated to have delays until the following day, with travelers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could help the inquiry are asked to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.