Brave Train Staff Member Receives Severe Injuries Amid Mass Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Train
A brave train employee who intervened to save travelers during a multiple knife attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage allegedly shows the staff member trying to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and another station in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers fleeing through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in detention for interrogation. Police declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Reaction and Consequences
The event on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have since been released from hospital.
A bystander filmed the individual waving a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted police on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."
“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 – particularly the brave employee of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist officers,” said a high-ranking police official.
Labor Response and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were swift to commend employees and call for more measures. A union leader said he would be “seeking immediate meetings with authorities, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest possible support, tools and robust procedures in operation”.
Another union leader encouraged the train operator and government “to move quickly to examine security, to support the impacted employees, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Commended for Rapid Action
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver didn’t halt the train in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to access, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” explained a union representative.
Additional Details
Authorities said they received the initial emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness described at first thinking if the situation was a holiday prank, but soon understood from people's expressions that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the event was a terror-related incident and have asked the community to provide with any additional information.
Train services on the impacted route are anticipated to have disruption until Monday, with passengers recommended to postpone their journeys where possible.
Individuals with information that could help the investigation are encouraged to contact police by texting a specific number with a reference code.