🔗 Share this article

A courageous railway staff member who stepped in to save travelers during a multiple knife attack on a express train has suffered critical wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

Particulars of the Frightening Incident

CCTV footage allegedly shows the staff member trying to stop the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers fleeing through carriages.

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

Crisis Response and Aftermath

The incident on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been released from medical care.

A witness filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted officers on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."

“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 brave member of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist personnel,” stated a high-ranking law enforcement official.

Union Reaction and Calls for Action

Train unions were swift to commend staff and demand increased action. One union official said he would be “requesting immediate discussions with authorities, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the strongest available support, tools and robust procedures in operation”.

Another union representative encouraged the rail company and government “to move swiftly to examine security, to help the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.

Driver Praised for Quick Action

The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been commended by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.

“He did not stop the train in the center of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” explained a union official.

Further Information

Authorities said they received the initial distress calls 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 holiday prank, but quickly understood from individuals' faces that it was real.

Authorities have stated there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terror-related incident and have requested the community to provide with any additional information.

Train services on the impacted route are expected to have disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to postpone their journeys where possible.

Individuals with information that could help the inquiry are asked to reach police by sending a message a designated number with a case code.