Rail worker 'undoubtedly saved people's lives' with 'heroic' actions during train knife attack
A brave rail worker who confronted a knife-wielding attacker on a train heading to London has been branded a hero.
On Saturday (1 November) night, a train heading from Doncaster to London made an emergency stop in Huntington, Cambridgeshire, after reports of a mass stabbing taking place on board.
The horrific attack left a total of 11 people hospitalised - nine with injuries initially believed to be life-threatening - before police were able to board the train and taser a man holding a knife.
A 32-year-old man from Peterborough has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, while a second man was arrested and later released with no further action.
Advert
According to an update shared yesterday evening, five of the casualties hospitalised have since been discharged, while one remains in a serious condition.
The person has been identified as a member of LNER rail staff who bravely confronted the attacker and attempted to stop them, according to British Transport Police (BTP).
"Having viewed the CCTV from the train, the actions of the member of rail staff were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people's lives," said BTP Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy in a statement.
"This 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 - especially the brave member of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist officers."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed this morning that the man is in a 'critical but stable condition' in an interview with Times Radio.
Train driver Andrew Johnson has also praised the rail worker's bravery, telling ITV News: "I was only doing my job. It was my colleague who is in hospital who was the brave one."
Meanwhile, passengers onboard the train who witnessed the attack have recalled watching the terrifying incident unfold.
One witness recalled seeing people leave the train 'drenched in blood', telling BBC News: "There was one man clutching a white sheet to his head who looked like he was stabbed twice.
"(There were) really severe injuries. And there was just general fear among everyone involved."
A second witness also revealed to the broadcaster that they'd seen an older man blocking the attacker from stabbing a younger girl, which left him with injuries to the head and neck.
Meanwhile, a third passenger has recalled coming face-to-face with the attacker.
No motive has been released for the attacks, however police have confirmed there was 'nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident'.
The identity of the suspected attacker has not been released; however, he has been described as a black British national from Peterborough.
Brenna Cooper