Heroic Train Staff Member Receives Severe Injuries Amid Mass Knife Attack on Express Service
A courageous railway staff member who intervened to protect passengers during a mass stabbing incident on a high-speed train has suffered critical injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
Surveillance video allegedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in detention for interrogation. Authorities declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have since been discharged from hospital.
A bystander filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced police on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, end my life."
âThis terrible incident has affected many people. We are thinking of the victims and their families â particularly the courageous member of rail staff whose family are being assisted by trained officers,â stated a senior police official.
Union Reaction and Calls for Measures
Rail associations were quick to commend employees and demand more action. One labor leader said he would be âseeking urgent meetings with government, rail employers and police to guarantee that we have the best possible assistance, tools and robust procedures in operationâ.
A different association representative encouraged the rail company and government âto move swiftly to examine security, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens againâ.
Driver Commended for Quick Action
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was described as being âdeeply affectedâ but âwellâ, and has been commended by union officials for doing âprecisely what was neededâ.
âThe driver didnât stop the train in the center of two stations where itâs clearly challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,â stated a association official.
Additional Details
Authorities said they got the first emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described at first thinking if the event was a Halloween joke, but soon understood from individuals' faces that it was real.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terror-related attack and have requested the community to come forward with any further information.
Train operations on the affected route are anticipated to experience delays until Monday, with travelers advised to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with details that could help the investigation are encouraged to reach authorities by texting a designated number with a reference code.