Brave Rail Staff Member Endures Severe Injuries Amid Mass Stabbing Attack on High-Speed Service

A brave railway staff member who intervened to protect passengers during a mass stabbing incident on a high-speed train has suffered life-threatening injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.

Details of the Frightening Incident

CCTV video reportedly depicts the staff member attempting to stop the assailant as the train traveled between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders described a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through carriages.

The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Police declared a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.

Emergency Response and Consequences

The incident on the weekend resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Several people have now been discharged from hospital.

A bystander filmed the suspect brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he confronted police on the station. 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 courageous member of rail staff whose family are being assisted by specialist personnel,” said a high-ranking law enforcement officer.

Union Reaction and Appeals for Measures

Train associations were quick to praise employees and call for more measures. A labor leader stated he would be “requesting urgent discussions with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best possible assistance, resources and effective procedures in place”.

A different union representative encouraged the train operator and authorities “to move quickly to examine safety, to support the impacted workers, and to ensure nothing like this happens again”.

Driver Commended for Rapid Thinking

The train driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by association representatives for doing “exactly the right thing”.

“The driver didn’t stop the train in the middle of two stations where it’s clearly challenging for the emergency services to reach, but he continued traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much already there,” explained a association representative.

Additional Details

Authorities stated they received the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was compelled to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

One witness recounted initially thinking if the event was a Halloween joke, but quickly realized from individuals' expressions that it was real.

Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the incident was a terrorist incident and have requested the public to provide with any further details.

Train services on the impacted route are anticipated to experience disruption 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 sending a message a specific number with a reference code.

Jesus Lee
Jesus Lee

A passionate travel writer and photographer based in Umbria, sharing hidden gems and local stories from Italy's heartland.