Heroic Train Employee Receives Severe Wounds Amid Multiple Knife Incident on High-Speed Train
A valiant train employee who stepped in to save passengers during a multiple stabbing attack on a express train has suffered life-threatening wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance footage reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers fleeing through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Authorities declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on the weekend led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have now been released from hospital.
A witness recorded the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a stun device as he confronted police on the platform. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the courageous employee of train personnel whose family are being assisted by trained personnel,” stated a high-ranking law enforcement official.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were swift to praise staff and demand increased measures. A labor leader said he would be “seeking urgent meetings with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best possible support, resources and effective procedures in place”.
A different association leader encouraged the train operator and authorities “to move swiftly to examine safety, to support the impacted employees, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Commended for Rapid Action
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by union officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He did not stop the service in the center of two stations where it’s clearly challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” stated a association representative.
Further Details
Police said they received the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness described at first thinking if the situation was a holiday joke, but soon understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Police have stated there is no evidence to indicate the event was a terror-related attack and have requested the community to come forward with any additional details.
Train services on the affected route are anticipated to experience disruption until Monday, with passengers recommended to postpone their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with information that could help the inquiry are asked to reach authorities by sending a message a specific number with a case code.