Heroic Train Staff Member Receives Severe Injuries Amid Mass Knife Incident on High-Speed Service
A brave railway staff member who stepped in to protect passengers during a multiple stabbing attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical injuries, authorities stated on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
CCTV footage reportedly depicts the employee attempting to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and another station in the county. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in custody for interrogation. Police declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The event on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five individuals have now been released from hospital.
A witness recorded the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced police on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, 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 brave employee of train personnel whose family are being assisted by specialist officers,” stated a senior police officer.
Union Response and Appeals for Action
Train associations were quick to commend staff and call for increased measures. A labor official stated he would be “requesting immediate discussions with government, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the best available support, resources and effective protocols in operation”.
Another association representative encouraged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to examine safety, to support the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.
Operator Praised for Quick Action
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been commended by union officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He didn’t halt the service in the center of two stations where it’s clearly challenging for the first responders to access, but he continued traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” explained a association representative.
Additional Details
Police stated they got 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 at first thinking if the situation was a holiday joke, but soon understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the event was a terror-related incident and have asked the community to come forward with any additional information.
Rail operations on the affected line are expected to have disruption until the following day, with passengers advised to postpone their travel where feasible.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation are asked to reach police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.
