Heroic Rail Employee Endures Severe Wounds During Mass Stabbing Incident on Express Service
A valiant railway employee who stepped in to protect travelers during a mass stabbing incident on a high-speed train has sustained life-threatening injuries, police stated on Sunday.
Details of the Terrifying Event
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the staff member trying to stop the assailant as the train traveled between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Authorities declared a significant incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Reaction and Aftermath
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 people have now been discharged from hospital.
A witness recorded the suspect brandishing a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced police on the station. He was allegedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
“This terrible incident has affected many people. We are thinking of the victims and their families – particularly the courageous employee of rail staff whose relatives are being assisted by specialist officers,” stated a senior law enforcement official.
Union Reaction and Appeals for Measures
Rail unions were swift to praise employees and demand increased action. One union official stated he would be “requesting urgent meetings with government, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the best available assistance, resources and robust protocols in place”.
Another association representative urged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to review security, to support the affected employees, and to make sure that no incident like this happens again”.
Operator Praised for Quick Thinking
The train driver who halted the train at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by union officials for doing “exactly the right thing”.
“The driver didn’t halt the train in the center of two stops where it’s obviously challenging for the emergency services to access, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” stated a association representative.
Further Information
Authorities stated they got the first emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer described initially thinking if the situation was a holiday prank, but quickly realized from individuals' faces that it was serious.
Police have stated there is no evidence to suggest the event was a terror-related incident and have requested the public to provide with any additional details.
Train services on the impacted route are anticipated to have delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to postpone their travel where possible.
Individuals with details that could assist the investigation are asked to reach authorities by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.