Heroic Train Staff Member Suffers Severe Injuries Amid Mass Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Train
A courageous railway employee who stepped in to save passengers during a multiple stabbing attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage allegedly depicts the staff member trying to stop the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in detention for questioning. Authorities announced a major 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 led to 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been discharged from medical care.
A bystander filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced officers 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. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – particularly the brave employee of rail staff whose family are being supported by trained personnel,” said a senior law enforcement officer.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Action
Train associations were quick to commend staff and call for more measures. A labor leader said he would be “seeking urgent meetings with authorities, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest available assistance, resources and robust protocols in operation”.
Another union representative urged the rail company and government “to act quickly to review safety, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure nothing like this occurs again”.
Driver Commended for Quick Thinking
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not stop the train in the center of two stops where it’s clearly challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” explained a union official.
Additional Details
Authorities said they got the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted initially thinking if the event was a holiday joke, but soon realized from individuals' faces that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terrorist incident and have requested the public to come forward with any further information.
Train services on the affected line are anticipated to have delays until the following day, with travelers advised to postpone their travel where feasible.
Anyone with details that could assist the investigation are asked to reach authorities by texting a designated number with a case code.