Brave Rail Employee Endures Severe Injuries Amid Multiple Stabbing Attack on High-Speed Service
A valiant railway employee who stepped in to protect travelers during a multiple knife incident on a express train has sustained life-threatening injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Particulars of the Terrifying Incident
Surveillance footage allegedly shows the staff member trying to stop the attacker as the train traveled between a city and another station in Cambridgeshire. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with injured victims fleeing through carriages.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, is in detention for interrogation. Police announced a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.
Emergency Response and Consequences
The event on the weekend resulted in 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have now been released from hospital.
A bystander filmed the individual waving a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he faced police on the station. He was reportedly heard yelling, "End my life, kill me."
âThis was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families â particularly the courageous employee of train personnel whose family are being assisted by trained officers,â said a high-ranking law enforcement officer.
Union Response and Appeals for Action
Rail associations were swift to praise employees and call for more measures. One labor official said he would be ârequesting urgent discussions with authorities, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the strongest available assistance, tools and effective procedures in placeâ.
A different association leader encouraged the train operator and government âto act quickly to examine security, to support the affected employees, and to make sure nothing like this happens againâ.
Operator Praised for Rapid Action
The operator who halted the train at Huntingdon was reported as being âdeeply affectedâ but âgoodâ, and has been praised by association representatives for doing âexactly the right thingâ.
âHe didnât halt the service in the center of two stations where itâs obviously difficult for the first responders to reach, but he carried on going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much already there,â stated a association official.
Further Details
Police said they got the first emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer described at first wondering if the event was a Halloween prank, but quickly realized from people's expressions that it was serious.
Police have confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the incident was a terrorist incident and have requested the public to provide with any additional information.
Rail operations on the impacted route are expected to have delays until Monday, with passengers advised to defer their journeys where feasible.
Anyone with details that could assist the inquiry are encouraged to reach police by texting a specific number with a reference code.