Heroic Train Employee Endures Severe Injuries During Mass Stabbing Incident on Express Service
A valiant railway staff member who stepped in to protect travelers during a multiple knife incident on a express train has suffered critical wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV video reportedly shows the employee attempting to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured passengers running through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Police announced a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Crisis Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five people have now been released from hospital.
A bystander recorded the suspect brandishing a large 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. 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 officers,” stated a high-ranking police official.
Labor Response and Appeals for Action
Train unions were quick to praise employees and call for increased action. A labor leader said he would be “requesting urgent discussions with government, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible assistance, tools and robust protocols in place”.
A different association representative urged the train operator and authorities “to move quickly to examine safety, to support the impacted employees, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Rapid Thinking
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not stop the service in the center of two stations where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to access, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” stated a association official.
Further Information
Police said they received the first distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first thinking if the event was a Halloween joke, but soon realized from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have stated there is nothing to indicate the event was a terrorist incident and have asked the community to come forward with any further details.
Rail services on the impacted line are expected to have disruption until the following day, with passengers advised to defer their travel where possible.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation are asked to reach authorities by texting a designated number with a case code.
