🔗 Share this article

A courageous railway employee who stepped in to protect travelers during a mass knife attack on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening wounds, authorities stated on Sunday.

Particulars of the Terrifying Incident

Surveillance video allegedly shows the employee trying to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and another station in the county. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers fleeing through carriages.

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

Crisis Reaction and Aftermath

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. Five individuals have since been discharged from hospital.

A bystander recorded the individual brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he confronted officers on the station. He was allegedly 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 – especially the brave employee of train personnel whose family are being supported by trained personnel,” said a high-ranking police officer.

Labor Response and Calls for Action

Train associations were quick to praise staff and demand increased action. One labor leader stated he would be “seeking urgent meetings with government, train companies and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, tools and effective procedures in place”.

Another association representative encouraged the rail company and government “to move swiftly to review security, to support the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs again”.

Operator Praised for Quick Action

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

“He did not halt the service in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” explained a association official.

Additional Information

Police stated they received the first emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

An witness described at first wondering if the event was a Halloween joke, but quickly understood from people's faces that it was real.

Authorities have stated there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have requested the community to provide with any further details.

Train operations on the affected route are expected to have delays until the following day, with travelers advised to postpone their travel where possible.

Individuals with information that could assist the inquiry are asked to contact authorities by texting a specific number with a case code.