Heroic Train Employee Suffers Critical Wounds Amid Multiple Stabbing Attack on Express Train
A valiant train staff member who stepped in to save travelers during a mass knife incident on a express train has sustained life-threatening wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Terrifying Incident
Surveillance video allegedly depicts the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in detention for questioning. Police declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Crisis Reaction and Aftermath
The event on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have now been released from medical care.
A bystander filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced police on the platform. He was reportedly heard shouting, "End my life, 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 employee of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist officers,” stated a senior police official.
Labor Response and Calls for Measures
Rail associations were swift to praise staff and demand more measures. One labor official stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and effective procedures in operation”.
Another association representative encouraged the rail company and authorities “to act swiftly to examine security, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Operator Praised for Quick Action
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He didn’t stop the service in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to access, but he continued traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,” explained a union official.
Additional Details
Police stated they received the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer described initially thinking if the situation was a Halloween joke, but soon understood from people's expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terrorist incident and have requested the community to provide with any further details.
Rail services on the impacted route are anticipated to experience disruption until Monday, with passengers advised to defer their journeys where possible.
Individuals with information that could help the investigation are encouraged to reach police by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.