🔗 Share this article

A valiant train employee who intervened to protect passengers during a mass stabbing attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

Particulars of the Frightening Event

Surveillance video allegedly shows the employee trying to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied victims running through compartments.

The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in detention for interrogation. Authorities declared a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.

Emergency Response and Consequences

The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been discharged from medical care.

A bystander filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced officers on the station. He was allegedly heard yelling, "End my life, kill me."

“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – particularly the courageous employee of rail staff whose family are being supported by trained officers,” said a senior law enforcement official.

Union Reaction and Calls for Measures

Rail unions were swift to commend employees and call for increased action. A labor leader stated he would be “requesting immediate discussions with government, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible support, tools and robust procedures in place”.

A different union leader encouraged the rail company and authorities “to act swiftly to examine security, to support the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.

Operator Commended for Quick Thinking

The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been praised by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.

“The driver didn’t stop the train in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” explained a union official.

Additional Details

Authorities stated they got the initial emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

One observer described initially wondering if the situation was a Halloween prank, but quickly realized from people's expressions that it was serious.

Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have requested the community to come forward with any further information.

Train operations on the affected line are anticipated to experience delays until Monday, with travelers advised to postpone their travel where feasible.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation are encouraged to contact authorities by sending a message a specific number with a case code.