Heroic Rail Employee Receives Critical Wounds During Multiple Stabbing Attack on Express Service
A brave railway staff member who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass knife incident on a express train has sustained critical wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
CCTV footage allegedly shows the employee trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Police announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Consequences
The incident on the weekend resulted in 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been discharged from hospital.
A bystander recorded the individual brandishing a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced police on the platform. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the courageous employee of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist officers,” said a high-ranking law enforcement official.
Union Reaction and Calls for Action
Train associations were swift to praise employees and demand increased action. A union official said he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the best available assistance, resources and robust procedures in place”.
A different association representative urged the rail company and government “to act quickly to examine security, to help the affected workers, and to ensure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Quick Thinking
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He didn’t halt the train in the middle of two stops where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to reach, but he carried on traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a union representative.
Further Information
Police said they received the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted initially wondering if the event was a holiday prank, but soon understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the event was a terror-related attack and have asked the community to provide with any additional information.
Rail operations on the affected route are anticipated to have delays until Monday, with travelers advised to defer their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with details that could assist the investigation are asked to contact authorities by sending a message a specific number with a case code.