Brave Train Staff Member Receives Severe Wounds During Mass Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Train
A courageous train employee who stepped in to protect travelers during a mass stabbing incident on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the staff member attempting to halt the attacker as the train traveled between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured victims running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Authorities declared a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five people have now been released from hospital.
A witness filmed the suspect brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted officers on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "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 member of train personnel whose family are being assisted by trained officers,” said a high-ranking law enforcement official.
Union Reaction and Calls for Action
Rail associations were quick to praise staff and demand increased action. A labor official stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with government, train companies and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the best possible assistance, resources and effective protocols in place”.
A different association representative urged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to review security, to support the affected workers, and to ensure nothing like this occurs again”.
Driver Commended for Quick Action
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver did not stop the service in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a association representative.
Further Details
Authorities said they received the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer described initially thinking if the event was a holiday joke, but quickly realized from people's expressions that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the event was a terror-related attack and have asked the community to come forward with any additional information.
Train services on the impacted route are expected to experience delays until the following day, with travelers recommended to postpone their travel where feasible.
Anyone with information that could help the inquiry are encouraged to reach police by texting a specific number with a reference code.
