Heroic Train Staff Member Receives Critical Wounds During Multiple Knife Incident on High-Speed Service
A courageous railway employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass knife incident on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance video allegedly depicts the employee trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and another station in the county. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for interrogation. Authorities declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several people have now been released from medical care.
A bystander filmed the individual waving a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he confronted police on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "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 – particularly the brave employee of rail staff whose family are being assisted by trained personnel,” said a high-ranking police officer.
Labor Response and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were quick to praise employees and demand increased measures. A union official said he would be “seeking urgent discussions with government, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the best possible support, tools and robust protocols in place”.
Another union representative urged the rail company and authorities “to act swiftly to examine safety, to support the affected employees, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Action
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He did not stop the train in the center of two stops where it’s clearly challenging for the emergency services to access, 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 first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness recounted initially thinking if the situation was a Halloween prank, but quickly understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the incident was a terrorist attack and have asked the community to provide with any additional information.
Rail operations on the affected line are expected to experience delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could assist the inquiry are asked to reach police by texting a specific number with a case code.
