Courageous Rail Staff Member Receives Severe Injuries During Multiple Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Service
A courageous train employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass knife attack on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening wounds, authorities stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the employee trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers fleeing through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Police announced a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The event on Saturday night led to 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have now been discharged from medical care.
A witness recorded the individual waving a big knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced police on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the brave employee of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by trained personnel,” said a senior police officer.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were quick to commend staff and call for more measures. One union leader stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest available support, resources and robust procedures in place”.
Another association leader urged the rail company and authorities “to move swiftly to examine safety, to support the affected workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Rapid Thinking
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver did not stop the service in the middle of two stops where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to reach, but he continued traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a association official.
Additional Details
Police said they got the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer described at first wondering if the situation was a holiday joke, but quickly realized from individuals' expressions that it was real.
Police have stated there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terrorist attack and have asked the community to provide with any additional details.
Train services on the impacted route are anticipated to experience delays until the following day, with travelers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could help the investigation are asked to contact authorities by texting a specific number with a case code.
