Courageous Train Staff Member Endures Critical Injuries Amid Multiple Stabbing Incident on High-Speed Service
A courageous train staff member who stepped in to save travelers during a mass knife attack on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage allegedly shows the staff member attempting to halt the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Police announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Reaction and Consequences
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have now been discharged from medical care.
A witness filmed the individual waving a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced officers on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, kill me."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the brave member of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by specialist personnel,” said a senior law enforcement officer.
Labor Response and Calls for Measures
Train associations were quick to praise staff and call for increased measures. One labor official stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with government, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest available assistance, tools and effective protocols in place”.
Another association leader encouraged the train operator and authorities “to act quickly to examine safety, to help the affected employees, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Quick Action
The train driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been praised by association officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He did not stop the train in the center of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the first responders to reach, but he continued traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost waiting,” explained a association official.
Additional Information
Police stated they got the first emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer described at first thinking if the situation was a holiday joke, but soon understood from people's expressions that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the incident was a terrorist attack and have asked the public to provide with any further information.
Rail operations on the impacted route are anticipated to experience delays until the following day, with travelers advised to postpone their journeys where possible.
Anyone with details that could help the inquiry are asked to contact authorities by texting a specific number with a reference code.