Heroic Train Staff Member Receives Critical Injuries Amid Multiple Knife Attack on High-Speed Service
A brave train employee who stepped in to protect travelers during a mass stabbing incident on a high-speed train has sustained critical injuries, authorities stated on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the staff member trying to halt the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in the county. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured passengers fleeing through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in detention for questioning. Authorities declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been released from medical care.
A bystander filmed the individual brandishing a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he confronted officers on the platform. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the brave member of train personnel whose family are being assisted by specialist personnel,” said a senior law enforcement officer.
Labor Reaction and Calls for Measures
Train associations were quick to commend staff and demand more measures. A labor leader said he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the best available support, tools and effective procedures in place”.
A different union representative encouraged the rail company and government “to move quickly to review safety, to support the impacted workers, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Action
The operator who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been commended by union officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He didn’t stop the train in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” stated a association official.
Further Information
Authorities said they received the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer recounted initially thinking if the event was a Halloween prank, but soon understood from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the event was a terrorist attack and have requested the community to come forward with any additional information.
Train operations on the impacted line are anticipated to have disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to defer their travel where possible.
Anyone with information that could help the inquiry are encouraged to contact police by sending a message a designated number with a case code.