A brave railway staff member who intervened to protect travelers during a multiple knife incident on a high-speed train has sustained critical injuries, authorities stated on Sunday.
CCTV footage allegedly shows the staff member attempting to halt the assailant as the train journeyed between Peterborough and another station in the county. Bystanders recounted a terrifying 14-minute duration after the train departed Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through compartments.
The individual, a 32-year-old British national from Peterborough, remains in custody for questioning. Authorities declared 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 medical facilities after the train made an unplanned stop at platform 2 in Huntingdon. Five people have since been released from medical care.
A witness filmed the suspect waving a big knife and being shot with a Taser as he confronted police on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "End my life, kill me."
âThis awful event has created broad consequences. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families â especially the brave employee of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist officers,â stated a high-ranking police officer.
Train associations were swift to praise staff and call for increased action. One labor leader stated he would be ârequesting immediate discussions with government, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the best possible assistance, tools and robust procedures in operationâ.
Another association leader encouraged the rail company and government âto act quickly to examine safety, to help the impacted workers, and to ensure that no incident like this occurs againâ.
The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being âvery shakenâ but âgoodâ, and has been commended by association officials for doing âexactly the right thingâ.
âHe didnât stop the train in the center of two stops where itâs obviously challenging for the first responders to reach, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,â explained a association official.
Authorities stated they got the first emergency calls at 7:39 pm, and the service was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.
One observer recounted at first wondering if the situation was a Halloween joke, but quickly understood from individuals' faces that it was serious.
Police have stated there is nothing to suggest the event was a terrorist attack and have requested the community to come forward with any further information.
Rail operations on the affected route are anticipated to have disruption until Monday, with passengers recommended to defer their journeys where feasible.
Individuals with information that could assist the inquiry are asked to contact authorities by sending a message a designated number with a reference code.
