Brave Train Employee Endures Severe Injuries Amid Multiple Knife Attack on Express Train
A courageous train employee who stepped in to protect passengers during a multiple stabbing attack on a express train has sustained critical injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Frightening Event
Surveillance footage reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the assailant as the train traveled between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured passengers running through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in custody for interrogation. Police announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
The event on the weekend led to 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have since been discharged from hospital.
A witness recorded the individual waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced police on the platform. He was reportedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – particularly the brave employee of train personnel whose family are being assisted by trained personnel,” stated a high-ranking police officer.
Labor Response and Appeals for Measures
Rail associations were swift to commend employees and call for more action. A union leader stated he would be “requesting urgent meetings with government, train companies and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible assistance, resources and effective procedures in place”.
A different association leader urged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to examine security, to support the affected workers, and to make sure nothing like this happens again”.
Operator Commended for Rapid Action
The operator who stopped the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by union representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver did not stop the train in the middle of two stops where it’s clearly difficult for the first responders to access, but he continued going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was almost waiting,” explained a association official.
Further Details
Authorities stated they received the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
An witness described initially wondering if the event was a holiday joke, but soon realized from individuals' expressions that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the event was a terrorist incident and have asked the community to come forward with any further information.
Train services on the affected line are anticipated to experience delays until Monday, with passengers advised to defer their travel where possible.
Anyone with details that could assist the inquiry are encouraged to reach authorities by sending a message a specific number with a case code.