Heroic Rail Employee Suffers Critical Injuries During Mass Knife Attack on Express Train
A courageous railway employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass stabbing attack on a express train has suffered critical wounds, authorities stated on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
Surveillance video allegedly depicts the employee trying to stop the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and another station in the county. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Police declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The incident on the weekend led to 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five individuals have now been released from hospital.
A bystander filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted officers on the platform. He was allegedly heard yelling, "End my life, kill me."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – especially the courageous member of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by trained personnel,” said a senior police official.
Labor Response and Appeals for Action
Train unions were quick to commend employees and demand more measures. One union leader stated he would be “requesting urgent meetings with authorities, rail employers and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best available support, resources and effective protocols in operation”.
A different union leader urged the rail company and authorities “to move quickly to examine safety, to support the impacted employees, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Quick Action
The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by union officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He didn’t stop the service in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” explained a union representative.
Further Information
Authorities stated they received the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer described at first thinking if the event was a holiday prank, but quickly realized from individuals' faces that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terror-related incident and have asked the community to provide with any additional information.
Train operations on the impacted line are expected to have delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with details that could help the inquiry are asked to contact police by sending a message a specific number with a reference code.