Courageous Train Employee Suffers Severe Wounds During Mass Knife Incident on High-Speed Train
A courageous train employee who stepped in to save travelers during a mass knife attack on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
CCTV footage allegedly shows the staff member trying to stop the assailant as the train traveled between a city and another station in the county. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in detention for interrogation. Authorities announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Consequences
The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several people have since been released from hospital.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced officers on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."
“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 courageous member of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by trained officers,” said a senior law enforcement official.
Labor Response and Calls for Action
Train unions were quick to praise staff and demand more action. One union leader said he would be “requesting urgent meetings with authorities, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the best available assistance, resources and robust procedures in place”.
Another union leader urged the rail company and authorities “to move quickly to examine security, to help the affected workers, and to make sure nothing like this occurs again”.
Driver Commended for Rapid Thinking
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver didn’t halt the train in the center of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the first responders to access, but he continued traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost waiting,” explained a union official.
Further Details
Authorities said they got the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness described at first wondering if the situation was a Halloween prank, but quickly realized from individuals' faces that it was real.
Authorities 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 services on the affected line are anticipated to have disruption until Monday, with passengers recommended to postpone their journeys where possible.
Individuals with information that could help the inquiry are encouraged to contact authorities by texting a specific number with a case code.