Brave Rail Employee Endures Severe Wounds During Mass Stabbing Incident on Express Train
A courageous railway employee who intervened to protect passengers during a mass stabbing attack on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance footage allegedly shows the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in the county. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured passengers running through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in detention for interrogation. Police declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Consequences
The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five people have since been released from medical care.
A bystander recorded the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced police on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the brave employee of train personnel whose relatives are being assisted by trained officers,” said a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Union Response and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were swift to praise staff and call for increased action. A union leader said he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the strongest available support, resources and effective procedures in place”.
Another association leader encouraged the rail company and government “to act swiftly to examine security, to support the affected workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Quick Thinking
The operator who stopped the train at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been praised by union officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not stop the service in the center of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the first responders to reach, but he carried on traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost waiting,” stated a association representative.
Additional Information
Police stated they received the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness described at first wondering if the situation was a holiday joke, but soon understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the event was a terrorist incident and have asked the community to come forward with any additional information.
Rail services on the impacted route are anticipated to have delays until the following day, with travelers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could assist the inquiry are asked to reach police by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.
