A valiant railway staff member who intervened to save travelers during a multiple stabbing attack on a express train has sustained life-threatening wounds, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Surveillance footage allegedly shows the employee attempting to halt the attacker as the train traveled between a city and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for interrogation. Authorities declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.
The incident on the weekend resulted in 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 filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted police on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."
âThis was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. We are thinking of the victims and their families â particularly the courageous employee of rail staff whose family are being assisted by trained officers,â said a high-ranking police officer.
Train associations were quick to commend staff and call for more action. One union leader said he would be ârequesting urgent meetings with government, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best available assistance, resources and robust procedures in operationâ.
A different association representative encouraged the rail company and authorities âto move swiftly to examine safety, to support the affected employees, and to ensure nothing like this happens againâ.
The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being âdeeply affectedâ but âwellâ, and has been commended by union officials for doing âprecisely what was neededâ.
âHe did not stop the train in the center of two stations where itâs obviously difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he continued traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,â stated a association representative.
Police said they got the initial distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One witness described initially thinking if the situation was a Halloween joke, but quickly realized from people's expressions that it was serious.
Authorities have stated there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terrorist attack and have asked the public to come forward with any additional information.
Rail services on the affected line are anticipated to experience delays until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their journeys where possible.
Individuals with information that could help the inquiry are asked to reach authorities by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.
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