Heroic Rail Employee Endures Severe Injuries During Mass Knife Attack on Express Service
A courageous train employee who stepped in to save passengers during a multiple stabbing attack on a express train has suffered life-threatening injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance video reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders 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, remains in detention for questioning. Police announced a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on the weekend led to 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have now been released from hospital.
A witness recorded the suspect brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he confronted 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 brave employee of train personnel whose family are being assisted by trained personnel,” stated a senior police official.
Union Response and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were swift to praise staff and demand more measures. A labor leader said he would be “requesting urgent meetings with authorities, train companies and police to ensure that we have the best available support, tools and robust protocols in operation”.
Another association representative urged the train operator and government “to act quickly to review security, to help the impacted workers, and to ensure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Commended for Rapid Action
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been praised by union officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not stop the train in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the first responders to access, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a union official.
Further Information
Authorities said they got the initial distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted initially thinking if the event was a holiday joke, but quickly understood from people's expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have requested the public to provide with any additional information.
Rail operations on the affected route are expected to have delays until the following day, with passengers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could assist the inquiry are asked to contact police by texting a specific number with a case code.
