Brave Rail Staff Member Endures Critical Injuries Amid Mass Stabbing Attack on High-Speed Service

A brave train staff member who intervened to save passengers during a mass knife attack on a express train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.

Particulars of the Frightening Incident

Surveillance video reportedly depicts the employee trying to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through carriages.

The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Authorities declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.

Emergency Response and Aftermath

The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several people have since been discharged from hospital.

A bystander recorded the individual waving a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced police on the platform. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."

“This awful event has created broad consequences. 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 family are being supported by specialist personnel,” stated a high-ranking law enforcement official.

Union Reaction and Appeals for Action

Train associations were quick to praise employees and demand increased measures. A labor official stated he would be “requesting immediate meetings with government, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the best possible support, tools and effective protocols in operation”.

A different union leader urged the rail company and authorities “to act swiftly to review safety, to help the impacted workers, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.

Operator Commended for Rapid Action

The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been praised by association officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.

“The driver did not halt the service in the middle of two stops where it’s clearly difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,” explained a union official.

Additional Details

Police said they got the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

One witness recounted initially thinking if the event was a Halloween joke, but quickly realized from people's expressions that it was serious.

Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have asked the public to provide with any further details.

Train operations on the impacted route are expected to experience delays until Monday, with travelers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.

Anyone with information that could help the inquiry are asked to contact police by texting a specific number with a reference code.

Daisy Pace
Daisy Pace

Passionate cyclist and outdoor enthusiast with over a decade of experience in bike touring and gear testing.