🔗 Share this article

A courageous train staff member who intervened to save passengers during a mass stabbing incident on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

Details of the Frightening Event

Surveillance footage allegedly depicts the employee trying to stop the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.

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

Emergency Response and Aftermath

The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being treated in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been discharged from medical care.

A witness recorded the suspect waving a large knife and being subdued with a Taser as he confronted officers on the platform. He was reportedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."

“This awful event has created broad consequences. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones – particularly the brave employee of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist officers,” stated a senior law enforcement officer.

Labor Reaction and Calls for Action

Rail associations were quick to praise staff and call for increased measures. One labor leader said he would be “requesting urgent discussions with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, tools and robust protocols in place”.

A different association leader encouraged the train operator and authorities “to act swiftly to review security, to support the impacted employees, and to make sure nothing like this occurs again”.

Operator Praised for Rapid Action

The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “very shaken” but “good”, and has been praised by union representatives for doing “precisely what was needed”.

“The driver didn’t halt the service 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 almost already there,” stated a union representative.

Further Information

Police stated they received the first emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train 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 prank, but quickly realized from individuals' faces that it was serious.

Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terror-related incident and have requested the community to come forward with any further information.

Train operations on the impacted route are anticipated to have delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their travel where feasible.

Anyone with information that could help the inquiry are asked to contact police by texting a designated number with a case code.