Heroic Rail Employee Receives Severe Injuries During Multiple Knife Incident on High-Speed Train
A valiant train employee who intervened to save passengers during a multiple knife attack on a express train has suffered critical wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the employee trying to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers running through compartments.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in detention for questioning. Police declared a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
The incident on the weekend led to 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five individuals have now been released from medical care.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a stun device as he faced police on the station. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, end my life."
“This awful event has created broad consequences. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – particularly the courageous member of train personnel whose family are being assisted by trained officers,” said a high-ranking police official.
Labor Response and Calls for Measures
Rail unions were swift to commend employees and demand more action. A labor leader stated he would be “requesting immediate discussions with authorities, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures in place”.
Another union leader encouraged the train operator and government “to move swiftly to review safety, to help the impacted workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Driver Praised for Quick Thinking
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.
“The driver did not stop the train in the middle of two stops where it’s clearly challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,” explained a union representative.
Additional Details
Authorities said they got the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted initially thinking if the situation was a Halloween prank, but quickly realized from people's expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have stated there is no evidence to indicate the incident was a terror-related attack and have asked the community to provide with any further details.
Rail operations on the impacted line are anticipated to experience delays until the following day, with travelers recommended to postpone their travel where possible.
Anyone with information that could assist the inquiry are encouraged to reach authorities by texting a designated number with a reference code.
