Courageous Train Employee Endures Critical Injuries Amid Mass Knife Incident on Express Service
A courageous railway employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass knife incident on a express train has sustained life-threatening wounds, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage reportedly depicts the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Police declared a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction and Consequences
The incident on the weekend resulted in 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been released from medical care.
A witness recorded the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted officers on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."
“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the courageous member of train personnel whose family are being supported by specialist officers,” stated a senior police official.
Union Response and Appeals for Measures
Train unions were swift to commend employees and call for increased action. One union leader said he would be “seeking immediate meetings with government, rail employers and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the best available support, tools and effective protocols in operation”.
Another association representative encouraged the train operator and government “to act quickly to review security, to help the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Driver Commended for Quick Action
The operator who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by association officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“He didn’t halt the service in the center of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was almost waiting,” explained a association official.
Additional Details
Authorities said they got the first 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 initially wondering if the event was a holiday joke, but quickly realized from people's faces that it was serious.
Police have stated there is nothing to indicate the event was a terror-related attack and have requested the public to provide with any further details.
Train services on the impacted line are anticipated to experience delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their travel where possible.
Individuals with details that could help the investigation are encouraged to contact police by texting a designated number with a case code.