Courageous Train Staff Member Endures Severe Injuries During Multiple Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Service
A valiant train staff member who intervened to protect passengers during a multiple stabbing attack on a high-speed train has suffered critical wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
CCTV video allegedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with injured victims running through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for interrogation. Police declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several people have now been discharged from medical care.
A witness recorded the individual brandishing a large knife and being subdued with a Taser as he confronted officers on the platform. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, kill me."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the brave member of rail staff whose family are being supported by trained officers,” stated a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Union Response and Calls for Measures
Rail unions were swift to commend staff and call for more measures. A union leader stated he would be “requesting immediate discussions with authorities, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the strongest available support, tools and effective protocols in operation”.
A different union representative urged the rail company and authorities “to move quickly to review safety, to help the impacted employees, and to ensure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Thinking
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been praised by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not stop the train in the center of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a union representative.
Additional Information
Authorities said they received the first emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced 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 quickly understood from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Police have stated there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terror-related incident and have asked the community to come forward with any additional information.
Rail operations on the affected line are expected to have disruption until Monday, with passengers recommended to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with information that could help the investigation are asked to reach authorities by texting a specific number with a case code.