Brave Rail Staff Member Receives Critical Injuries Amid Multiple Stabbing Attack on Express Service
A courageous railway staff member who stepped in to save travelers during a multiple knife attack on a express train has sustained life-threatening injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
CCTV video reportedly shows the employee attempting to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Authorities declared a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several people have now been discharged from hospital.
A bystander filmed the individual waving a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted officers on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "Kill me, kill me."
“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 courageous member of train personnel whose relatives are being supported by trained personnel,” said a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Union Response and Appeals for Action
Rail unions were quick to praise employees and demand more action. A labor leader stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with authorities, train companies and police to ensure that we have the best possible assistance, tools and effective procedures in place”.
A different union representative encouraged the train operator and government “to act quickly to review safety, to support the impacted workers, and to ensure nothing like this occurs again”.
Driver Commended for Quick Action
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver didn’t stop the service in the center of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a union representative.
Additional Information
Police stated they received the first emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described initially thinking if the situation was a holiday prank, but soon understood from people's faces that it was serious.
Police have stated there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terrorist attack and have requested the public to provide with any additional information.
Train services on the impacted line are anticipated to experience delays until Monday, with passengers advised to defer their journeys where possible.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation are encouraged to contact police by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.