Brave Rail Employee Suffers Severe Injuries During Multiple Knife Incident on High-Speed Train
A valiant train staff member who stepped in to save passengers during a mass knife attack on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV video allegedly depicts the employee trying to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for interrogation. Police declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Reaction and Consequences
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have since been discharged from medical care.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted officers on the station. He was reportedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."
“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 high-ranking police official.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Action
Train unions were quick to commend employees and call for increased action. A union leader stated he would be “seeking immediate meetings with authorities, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible support, tools and effective procedures in place”.
Another union leader urged the train operator and authorities “to act quickly to review security, to support the affected workers, and to make sure nothing like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Thinking
The train driver who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He did not stop the train in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously difficult for the first responders to access, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much already there,” stated a association representative.
Additional Information
Police stated they got the initial emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first wondering if the event was a Halloween prank, but quickly realized from people's faces that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terror-related attack and have asked the community to provide with any additional details.
Rail operations on the affected route are anticipated to experience delays until the following day, with travelers advised to defer their travel where possible.
Anyone with details that could assist the investigation are asked to contact police by texting a designated number with a reference code.
