Courageous Train Staff Member Endures Life-Threatening Injuries Amid Multiple Stabbing Incident on Express Train
A valiant train employee who stepped in to save passengers during a mass knife incident on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage allegedly shows the staff member attempting to halt the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured passengers running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Authorities announced a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The event on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have now been released from medical care.
A witness recorded the suspect waving a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he faced police on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the courageous employee of train personnel whose family are being assisted by trained officers,” said a high-ranking police officer.
Union Response and Appeals for Measures
Train associations were quick to praise employees and call for increased measures. A labor official said he would be “requesting immediate meetings with authorities, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the strongest available assistance, tools and robust protocols in operation”.
Another union leader urged the train operator and authorities “to move swiftly to review security, to support the affected employees, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Driver Commended for Quick Action
The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He didn’t stop the service in the center of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much already there,” stated a association representative.
Further Information
Police said they got the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness described initially wondering if the event was a Halloween prank, but soon realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Police have stated there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terror-related attack and have requested the public to come forward with any additional details.
Train services on the impacted line are anticipated to have disruption until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their travel where possible.
Individuals with information that could help the inquiry are encouraged to contact authorities by sending a message a specific number with a case code.