Heroic Rail Staff Member Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries Amid Mass Knife Attack on Express Train

A brave train staff member who stepped in to protect passengers during a mass knife attack on a express train has sustained critical injuries, police confirmed on Sunday.

Particulars of the Frightening Event

Surveillance footage allegedly shows the employee trying to stop the attacker as the train journeyed between Peterborough and Huntingdon in the county. Witnesses recounted a frightening 14-minute duration after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied passengers running through compartments.

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

Emergency Reaction and Consequences

The event on Saturday night resulted in 11 people being cared for in medical facilities after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Several individuals have since been released from medical care.

A witness filmed the suspect brandishing a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he faced police on the platform. He was reportedly heard yelling, "Kill me, kill me."

“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the courageous employee of rail staff whose family are being assisted by trained officers,” said a high-ranking law enforcement official.

Labor Reaction and Calls for Measures

Train associations were swift to praise employees and call for increased measures. One union official stated he would be “seeking immediate discussions with authorities, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the strongest available assistance, resources and effective protocols in operation”.

A different union representative encouraged the train operator and government “to act swiftly to review security, to help the affected employees, and to ensure nothing like this occurs again”.

Operator Commended for Quick Thinking

The operator who halted the service at Huntingdon was described as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been commended by union officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.

“He didn’t stop the train in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously challenging for the first responders to access, but he continued going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was almost already there,” explained a union representative.

Additional Information

Police said they got the initial emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

An witness recounted at first thinking if the event was a Halloween prank, but quickly understood from people's faces that it was serious.

Authorities have confirmed there is nothing to indicate the event was a terrorist attack and have asked the community to come forward with any additional information.

Rail operations on the affected line are expected to have delays until Monday, with travelers advised to postpone their journeys where possible.

Anyone with details that could help the inquiry are encouraged to contact police by texting a specific number with a reference code.

Karen Hawkins
Karen Hawkins

A dedicated cat advocate and writer based in Toronto, sharing years of experience in feline care and rescue.