Brave Train Employee Suffers Critical Wounds During Multiple Stabbing Attack on Express Train
A valiant train staff member who stepped in to save travelers during a multiple knife attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance video reportedly shows the employee attempting to halt the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Authorities announced a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Reaction and Consequences
The event on the weekend led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been released from medical care.
A bystander filmed the individual brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced officers on the platform. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – particularly the brave employee of train personnel whose relatives are being assisted by trained officers,” said a high-ranking law enforcement official.
Labor Reaction and Calls for Measures
Train unions were quick to commend employees and call for increased action. A union official said he would be “requesting urgent meetings with government, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the strongest available support, resources and robust procedures in place”.
Another association representative urged the rail company and government “to move swiftly to review safety, to support the impacted workers, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Rapid Action
The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not stop 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 arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” stated a association official.
Additional Information
Authorities said they received the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted initially thinking if the event was a holiday prank, but soon understood from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have requested the community to provide with any further information.
Rail operations on the affected line are anticipated to experience disruption until the following day, with passengers recommended to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with details that could assist the investigation are encouraged to reach authorities by sending a message a specific number with a case code.
