Brave Rail Staff Member Endures Severe Injuries During Mass Stabbing Attack on Express Train
A valiant railway employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass stabbing attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical wounds, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Event
CCTV video allegedly depicts the employee trying to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and another station in the county. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers running through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for interrogation. Police declared a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
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 people have now been released from hospital.
A bystander recorded the individual waving a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced officers on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, end my life."
“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 brave employee of rail staff whose family are being assisted by trained personnel,” stated a senior police officer.
Labor Reaction and Calls for Measures
Rail unions were swift to commend employees and call for more measures. One union leader stated he would be “seeking immediate meetings with government, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible support, resources and effective procedures in operation”.
A different union leader urged the train operator and government “to act quickly to review security, to help the impacted employees, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Driver Commended for Rapid Thinking
The operator who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been commended by association representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver did not halt the train in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he continued going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,” explained a association official.
Further Details
Authorities said they got the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted initially thinking if the situation was a Halloween joke, but soon realized from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the event was a terrorist incident and have requested the public to come forward with any additional details.
Rail services on the affected line are anticipated to have delays until Monday, with travelers recommended to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation are encouraged to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.
