Courageous Rail Staff Member Suffers Severe Injuries During Multiple Knife Incident on High-Speed Service
A brave train employee who intervened to save passengers during a mass knife incident on a express train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Incident
CCTV footage allegedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the assailant as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims running through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Police declared a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have since been released from hospital.
A bystander recorded the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a stun device as he confronted police on the platform. He was allegedly heard shouting, "Kill me, kill me."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the brave member of train personnel whose relatives are being assisted by trained personnel,” stated a senior law enforcement official.
Union Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Train unions were quick to commend employees and demand increased action. A union official stated he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest possible assistance, tools and robust protocols in operation”.
Another association representative urged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to review security, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Driver Commended for Rapid Thinking
The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He did not halt the train in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the first responders to reach, but he continued going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” stated a association official.
Further Details
Police said they received the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer described at first thinking if the situation was a Halloween prank, but soon understood from people's expressions that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terrorist attack and have asked the community to come forward with any further details.
Train operations on the affected line are expected to experience delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with details that could assist the inquiry are asked to reach authorities by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.