Heroic Train Employee Receives Critical Wounds During Mass Knife Attack on Express Service

A brave train employee who stepped in to protect travelers during a mass stabbing attack on a express train has suffered critical wounds, police stated on Sunday.

Details of the Frightening Incident

Surveillance footage allegedly shows the employee attempting to stop the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders described a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through carriages.

The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Authorities announced a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.

Crisis Response and Consequences

The event on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been discharged from hospital.

A witness recorded the suspect brandishing a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted officers on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "End my life, 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 brave member of train personnel whose family are being assisted by specialist officers,” said a high-ranking police officer.

Union Reaction and Appeals for Action

Rail unions were quick to praise employees and demand more action. A labor leader stated he would be “seeking immediate meetings with government, train companies and law enforcement to guarantee that we have the best possible support, tools and effective procedures in operation”.

Another association leader urged the train operator and government “to move swiftly to review security, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.

Operator Praised for Quick Thinking

The operator who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.

“He didn’t halt the train in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” explained a union official.

Further Information

Authorities said they got the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

One witness recounted initially thinking if the event was a holiday prank, but soon understood from individuals' expressions that it was real.

Police have stated there is nothing to indicate the event was a terror-related incident and have requested the community to provide with any further information.

Rail services on the impacted line are expected to have disruption until Monday, with passengers advised to defer their journeys where possible.

Individuals with details that could help the inquiry are encouraged to reach police by sending a message a specific number with a case code.

April Clark
April Clark

A tech enthusiast and journalist with a passion for exploring cutting-edge gadgets and sharing actionable insights.