Brave Train Employee Receives Life-Threatening Injuries During Multiple Knife Incident on High-Speed Train
A valiant train employee who intervened to protect passengers during a multiple knife incident on a high-speed train has suffered critical injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Frightening Incident
CCTV footage reportedly depicts the staff member trying to halt the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Authorities declared a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Crisis Response and Consequences
The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have now been released from medical care.
A witness recorded the individual waving a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted police on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, kill me."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. We are thinking of the victims and their families – particularly the brave employee of train personnel whose relatives are being supported by trained officers,” said a senior police official.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were quick to commend staff and demand increased action. One union official said he would be “seeking immediate meetings with authorities, train companies and police to ensure that we have the best available assistance, resources and effective procedures in place”.
Another association leader encouraged the rail company and authorities “to move quickly to review security, to help the affected employees, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Quick Thinking
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been commended by union officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not stop the service in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to access, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” explained a association official.
Additional Information
Police said they got the initial distress reports 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 wondering if the event was a Halloween joke, but quickly realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Police have stated there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terror-related incident and have requested the community to come forward with any further details.
Train services on the affected line are expected to have disruption until Monday, with passengers advised to defer their travel where feasible.
Individuals with information that could help the inquiry are asked to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.
