Heroic Rail Employee Receives Critical Injuries During Multiple Knife Attack on Express Service
A brave railway staff member who stepped in to protect passengers during a multiple knife attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
CCTV footage allegedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims running through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Police announced a major 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 led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been discharged from hospital.
A bystander recorded the suspect brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced officers on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – particularly the brave member of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by specialist personnel,” said a high-ranking police officer.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Train associations were quick to commend staff and demand more action. One labor official said he would be “seeking immediate meetings with authorities, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust protocols in operation”.
Another union leader urged the train operator and government “to move swiftly to review safety, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Rapid Thinking
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by union officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not halt the service in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the first responders to reach, but he carried on traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was almost already there,” stated a association representative.
Additional Information
Police stated they received the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described initially wondering if the event was a Halloween prank, but soon realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the event was a terror-related attack and have asked the public to provide with any additional details.
Rail operations on the impacted line are anticipated to experience delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation are asked to reach police by texting a specific number with a case code.