Courageous Rail Staff Member Receives Critical Injuries During Multiple Stabbing Attack on Express Service
A courageous train employee who intervened to protect travelers during a mass stabbing attack on a express train has suffered critical wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
CCTV footage reportedly shows the employee trying to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Police declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The event on the weekend led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several people have since been discharged from medical care.
A bystander filmed the individual brandishing a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced police on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the brave member of train personnel whose family are being supported by specialist officers,” stated a high-ranking police official.
Union Reaction and Calls for Action
Rail unions were swift to commend employees and demand more measures. A labor leader said he would be “requesting immediate discussions with authorities, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest available assistance, resources and robust protocols in operation”.
A different union representative encouraged the train operator and government “to move swiftly to review safety, to support the impacted employees, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Rapid Thinking
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” 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 carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” stated a union official.
Additional Details
Authorities said they received the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An observer recounted initially wondering if the event was a holiday joke, but quickly realized from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terrorist attack and have asked the public to provide with any additional details.
Train operations on the impacted line are anticipated to experience delays until the following day, with passengers recommended to defer their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with information that could help the investigation are encouraged to reach authorities by texting a specific number with a reference code.
