Brave Rail Staff Member Suffers Critical Injuries During Mass Knife Attack on Express Service
A courageous train staff member who intervened to save passengers during a mass stabbing attack on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance footage reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to halt the attacker as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for interrogation. Authorities announced a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The incident on the weekend led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been released from hospital.
A bystander recorded the individual waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted police on the platform. He was allegedly heard shouting, "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 rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist officers,” said a senior law enforcement official.
Labor Response and Calls for Action
Rail unions were quick to praise employees and call for more action. A union leader stated he would be “seeking urgent discussions with government, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest available assistance, tools and robust protocols in operation”.
A different union representative encouraged the train operator and authorities “to move quickly to review safety, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Rapid Action
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not halt the service in the center of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the first responders to access, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” stated a union official.
Additional Information
Police stated they received the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted at first wondering if the event was a holiday joke, but quickly realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Authorities have stated there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terror-related attack and have asked the public to come forward with any further information.
Rail services on the affected route are anticipated to have delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their journeys where possible.
Anyone with details that could assist the inquiry are asked to contact police by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.