Heroic Rail Employee Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries During Mass Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Train
A brave railway employee who intervened to protect travelers during a mass knife incident on a express train has sustained critical injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
Surveillance footage allegedly depicts 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 period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for interrogation. Police announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction and Consequences
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five people have now been released from hospital.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted officers on the platform. He was reportedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – particularly the brave member of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist officers,” stated a senior law enforcement officer.
Labor Response and Calls for Measures
Rail unions were swift to praise staff and demand more measures. A labor official said he would be “requesting urgent discussions with authorities, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the strongest available assistance, tools and robust procedures in place”.
A different union representative encouraged the train operator and authorities “to move swiftly to examine safety, to help the affected workers, and to ensure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Quick Action
The train driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not stop the train in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly challenging for the first responders to access, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” explained a union representative.
Additional Information
Authorities stated they received the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer recounted initially thinking if the situation was a holiday joke, but quickly understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terror-related attack and have requested the public to come forward with any additional information.
Rail operations on the impacted route are expected to have delays until the following day, with passengers recommended to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with details that could assist the investigation are encouraged to reach police by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.