Heroic Rail Staff Member Endures Critical Wounds Amid Mass Knife Incident on High-Speed Train
A courageous railway employee who stepped in to save travelers during a multiple stabbing incident on a express train has suffered critical injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Event
CCTV video reportedly depicts the staff member trying to halt the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in the county. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers fleeing through carriages.
The individual, 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 downtown London.
Crisis Response and Aftermath
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five people have now been discharged from medical care.
A bystander recorded the individual waving a big knife and being shot with a stun device as he confronted police on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, kill me."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – particularly the courageous member of train personnel whose relatives are being assisted by specialist personnel,” stated a high-ranking law enforcement official.
Union Reaction and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were quick to commend staff and call for increased action. One labor official said he would be “seeking urgent discussions with authorities, train companies and police to ensure that we have the strongest available assistance, resources and robust procedures in place”.
A different union representative urged the train operator and government “to move swiftly to review safety, to help the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Quick Action
The operator who stopped the train at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by union officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver did not halt the train in the middle of two stops where it’s clearly difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” explained a union official.
Further Information
Police stated they got the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted initially wondering if the situation was a Halloween joke, but quickly realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terror-related incident and have requested the public to provide with any further details.
Train services on the impacted line are anticipated to have disruption until Monday, with travelers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with details that could assist the inquiry are asked to reach authorities by texting a specific number with a reference code.