Brave Train Staff Member Receives Severe Injuries During Mass Stabbing Attack on Express Service
A brave railway staff member who stepped in to protect travelers during a multiple knife attack on a express train has sustained critical injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance footage allegedly depicts the employee trying to halt the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in the county. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with injured passengers fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for interrogation. Police announced a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The incident on the weekend led to 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several people have now been discharged from hospital.
A witness recorded the individual brandishing a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced officers on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "Kill me, kill me."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the brave employee of train personnel whose relatives are being assisted by trained officers,” stated a senior police official.
Union Response and Calls for Measures
Train unions were quick to commend staff and call for more measures. One labor leader said he would be “requesting immediate meetings with government, train companies and police to ensure that we have the best possible assistance, tools and robust protocols in place”.
Another union leader urged the rail company and government “to move swiftly to review security, to help the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Driver Praised for Quick Action
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver did not stop the service in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to access, but he continued traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,” stated a union official.
Additional Details
Authorities said they got the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer recounted at first thinking if the event was a holiday joke, but soon understood from people's expressions that it was serious.
Police have stated there is nothing to indicate the event was a terrorist incident and have asked the community to come forward with any additional information.
Train operations on the affected route are expected to experience delays until the following day, with travelers recommended to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with details that could help the investigation are asked to reach authorities by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.
