A valiant train staff member who stepped in to protect passengers during a multiple stabbing incident on a high-speed train has suffered critical injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the staff member attempting to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between a city and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses described a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with injured passengers fleeing through carriages.
The suspect, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Authorities announced a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
The event on Saturday night led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have since been discharged from medical care.
A witness filmed the individual brandishing a large knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted officers on the station. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, kill me."
âThis was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. Our sympathies go out to the injured and their loved ones â especially the brave member of rail staff whose relatives are being supported by specialist officers,â said a high-ranking police officer.
Rail associations were quick to praise staff and call for more measures. A union official said he would be âseeking immediate meetings with government, rail employers and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best available assistance, tools and effective procedures in operationâ.
A different association leader encouraged the rail company and authorities âto move swiftly to examine safety, to help the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs againâ.
The train driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being âdeeply affectedâ but âgoodâ, and has been commended by union officials for doing âprecisely what was neededâ.
âHe didnât halt the train in the center of two stations where itâs clearly difficult for the first responders to access, but he continued traveling until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much already there,â explained a association representative.
Police stated they received the initial distress reports at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness recounted at first wondering if the situation was a holiday prank, but soon understood from people's faces that it was real.
Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terrorist incident and have asked the community to come forward with any additional information.
Rail services on the affected route are anticipated to have disruption until the following day, with travelers recommended to postpone their travel where feasible.
Anyone with information that could assist the inquiry are encouraged to reach authorities by texting a designated number with a reference code.
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