Courageous Rail Staff Member Suffers Life-Threatening Wounds Amid Mass Knife Attack on Express Train
A brave train employee who intervened to protect travelers during a mass knife attack on a express train has suffered critical injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV video allegedly depicts the employee attempting to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and another station in the county. Witnesses recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for interrogation. Police declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
The event on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five people have now been discharged from medical care.
A bystander recorded the suspect brandishing a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted police on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. We are thinking of the victims and their families – particularly the brave member of train personnel whose relatives are being supported by trained personnel,” said a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Union Response and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were quick to commend employees and call for increased action. A union official stated he would be “requesting urgent discussions with authorities, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the best possible assistance, resources and effective protocols in place”.
A different union leader urged the rail company and government “to act quickly to examine security, to support the affected employees, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Thinking
The operator who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not halt the service in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to reach, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a union representative.
Further Information
Authorities stated they got the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted initially wondering if the event was a holiday joke, but soon realized from people's faces that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terror-related incident and have requested the public to come forward with any additional details.
Rail operations on the affected line are expected to experience disruption until Monday, with travelers recommended to defer their journeys where possible.
Individuals with details that could help the investigation are asked to contact police by texting a specific number with a case code.