Brave Rail Employee Endures Life-Threatening Injuries Amid Mass Knife Incident on High-Speed Service
A courageous railway employee who intervened to save travelers during a multiple knife attack on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage allegedly shows the staff member attempting to stop the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in the county. Witnesses recounted a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Authorities declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Crisis Reaction and Consequences
The incident on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have now been released from medical care.
A bystander recorded the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced officers on the platform. He was allegedly heard shouting, "Kill me, kill me."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the courageous member of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist personnel,” said a senior law enforcement official.
Union Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Rail unions were swift to commend employees and call for more measures. One union leader stated he would be “seeking urgent discussions with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest available support, tools and effective procedures in operation”.
A different union leader urged the train operator and authorities “to move swiftly to review safety, to support the affected employees, and to ensure nothing like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Quick Action
The train driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been commended by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver didn’t halt the service in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost waiting,” explained a association official.
Further Information
Police said they got the initial distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness recounted initially thinking if the situation was a Halloween prank, but quickly realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have requested the public to provide with any further details.
Rail services on the affected route are expected to have delays until the following day, with travelers recommended to defer their travel where possible.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation are encouraged to contact authorities by texting a specific number with a case code.
