Heroic Rail Staff Member Endures Life-Threatening Injuries Amid Mass Stabbing Attack on High-Speed Service
A brave railway employee who stepped in to save passengers during a multiple stabbing incident on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV video allegedly depicts the employee trying to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Authorities 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 the weekend resulted in 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been released from hospital.
A bystander filmed the suspect brandishing a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced police on the station. He was reportedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the brave member of train personnel whose relatives are being supported by specialist personnel,” stated a high-ranking police official.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were swift to commend staff and call for increased action. A labor leader said he would be “seeking urgent discussions with government, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures in place”.
A different association representative encouraged the rail company and authorities “to move quickly to examine safety, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Action
The operator who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver didn’t stop the service in the center of two stops where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was almost waiting,” stated a association official.
Additional Information
Police said they got the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness recounted at first wondering if the event was a holiday joke, but quickly understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terror-related incident and have requested the public to come forward with any additional details.
Train operations on the affected line are anticipated to experience delays until the following day, with passengers advised to defer their travel where possible.
Individuals with details that could assist the investigation are asked to reach police by texting a specific number with a case code.