🔗 Share this article

A brave railway staff member who intervened to protect travelers during a mass stabbing incident on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.

Particulars of the Frightening Event

CCTV video allegedly depicts the employee trying to stop the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured victims running through compartments.

The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Authorities declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.

Emergency Response and Consequences

The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been discharged from medical care.

A witness filmed the individual brandishing a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he confronted officers 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 member of rail staff whose family are being supported by trained officers,” said a senior law enforcement official.

Union Response and Calls for Action

Train associations were quick to commend staff and demand increased action. A union leader stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with government, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the best available support, resources and robust procedures in operation”.

A different union leader encouraged the train operator and authorities “to move swiftly to review security, to help the affected employees, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.

Operator Commended for Rapid Thinking

The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.

“He didn’t stop the service in the center of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,” stated a association official.

Additional Information

Authorities stated they received the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

An observer recounted initially wondering if the event was a holiday prank, but quickly realized from people's expressions that it was serious.

Authorities have stated there is nothing to suggest the event was a terror-related attack and have requested the public to come forward with any further details.

Train services on the affected route are anticipated to experience disruption until Monday, with travelers recommended to defer their travel where possible.

Anyone with information that could help the inquiry are asked to contact authorities by texting a specific number with a case code.