🔗 Share this article

A courageous railway staff member who intervened to save travelers during a multiple knife attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.

Details of the Frightening Incident

CCTV footage reportedly shows the staff member attempting to halt the assailant as the train traveled between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers fleeing through compartments.

The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. 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 led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several people have since been discharged from hospital.

A bystander recorded the individual waving a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he faced officers on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "End my life, end my life."

“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – particularly the courageous employee of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist officers,” said a high-ranking police officer.

Labor Response and Calls for Action

Rail unions were swift to praise staff and call for more action. A union official said he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the best possible support, resources and effective procedures in operation”.

Another union representative encouraged the train operator and authorities “to act swiftly to examine security, to help the affected workers, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.

Operator Commended for Quick Thinking

The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended 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 obviously challenging for the first responders to access, but he carried on traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost waiting,” stated a union official.

Further Details

Authorities said they got the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

One observer described initially wondering if the situation was a holiday joke, but soon realized from people's faces that it was serious.

Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terror-related incident and have asked the community to come forward with any additional information.

Rail services on the impacted route are expected to experience disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to defer their journeys where feasible.

Anyone with information that could assist the inquiry are asked to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.