Heroic Train Employee Receives Severe Injuries During Multiple Knife Attack on High-Speed Service
A valiant train employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass knife attack on a express train has suffered critical injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
CCTV footage allegedly depicts the staff member attempting to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Police declared a significant event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Reaction 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. Several people have now been discharged from hospital.
A bystander filmed the suspect waving a large knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced officers on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, end my life."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – particularly the brave employee of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by specialist officers,” stated a high-ranking police official.
Labor Reaction and Appeals for Action
Train associations were quick to praise employees and demand increased action. One union official stated he would be “seeking urgent discussions with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest possible assistance, tools and robust protocols in operation”.
Another association leader urged the train operator and authorities “to act quickly to review safety, to support the impacted workers, and to make sure that no incident like this occurs again”.
Operator Praised for Rapid Action
The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “well”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“He did not stop the train in the middle of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the first responders to reach, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” stated a union official.
Additional Details
Authorities said they got the first emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described initially thinking if the event was a Halloween joke, but soon realized from individuals' faces that it was serious.
Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the event was a terror-related attack and have requested the public to provide with any further details.
Train operations on the impacted route are expected to have delays until the following day, with passengers recommended to defer their journeys where possible.
Individuals with information that could help the inquiry are asked to contact police by texting a designated number with a reference code.
