Brave Train Employee Receives Life-Threatening Injuries During Mass Knife Attack on Express Service
A courageous railway staff member who stepped in to protect travelers during a mass knife incident on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening wounds, authorities stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
Surveillance video reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and another station in the county. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in detention for questioning. Authorities announced a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have now been released from medical care.
A witness recorded the individual brandishing a big knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced police on the station. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, 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 – particularly the courageous employee of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by trained personnel,” said a high-ranking police officer.
Labor Response and Calls for Action
Train unions were swift to commend staff and call for increased measures. A labor leader stated he would be “requesting urgent discussions with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best possible assistance, resources and robust procedures in place”.
A different association representative urged the rail company and government “to act quickly to examine security, to help the affected employees, and to ensure nothing like this occurs again”.
Driver Praised for Quick Thinking
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver didn’t stop the service in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to access, but he continued traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much already there,” stated a association representative.
Additional Information
Police said they received the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first wondering if the situation was a Halloween prank, but soon understood from individuals' faces that it was serious.
Police have stated there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terror-related incident and have requested the community to provide with any additional details.
Train services on the impacted route are anticipated to experience disruption until the following day, with travelers advised to defer their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation are asked to contact authorities by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.