Huntingdon train stabbing: What security is there on trains and which services are disrupted today?
Passengers expecting to travel on East Coast Main Line services have been advised to delay their journey if possible due to disruption after a mass stabbing on a train from Doncaster to London on Saturday evening was expected to continue for several hours.
While the British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that the life of two people remained in danger after the bloody attack, it was stated that two British citizens were also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
LNER, which operates East Coast Mainline services in England, said the disruption to its services between London Kings Cross and Lincoln, Doncaster, Leeds, Bradford Forster Square and Harrogate was likely to last until Monday.
What do we know about the train in question? What precautions are taken for passenger safety? So what is the impact of train services today?
Simon Calder is at London King’s Cross station, the train’s intended destination.
What service was involved?
The train involved in the 1 November incident was an LNER train departing from Doncaster in South Yorkshire to London King’s Cross at 18.25. He left on time and called at Retford, Newark, Grantham and Peterborough.
The service departed Peterborough at 19.30. Another call was expected in Stevenage 28 minutes later and arrival in the capital was planned for 8.23pm.
The train was planned to run 195 miles per hour through Huntingdon on an express route with no platform access.
While the attack was taking place, the LNER train driver and the rest of the crew, working with the signalmen, managed to direct the train onto the slow line and, with the participation of armed police, managed to stop it at the first possible station within 14 minutes of leaving Peterborough.
This was an extraordinarily quick response. The outcome could have been much worse if the train had either stopped close to the station, where access and escape would have been difficult, or continued towards Stevenage.
What kind of security system is there in trains?
CCTV cameras are standard on trains, but of course passengers in a confined space are vulnerable to attackers when traveling at 195 miles per hour.
Currently the only pre-boarding check for passengers is at London St Pancras International Airport, with all Eurostar passengers and their luggage checked before departing for Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
For trains within the UK, British Transport Police patrol trains and stations, but the force has fewer than 3,000 officers on a network that handles five million journeys a day. BTP said patrols will be increased
Rail companies will undoubtedly consider increasing the number of security personnel on trains.
Transport minister Heidi Alexander said passengers would see a “high visibility police presence” at railway stations and on trains on Sunday “to reassure the public”.
He added: “My thoughts are with those affected by the shocking incident in Huntingdon last night, especially those still in hospital today.
“I would like to express my enormous gratitude to the responding staff and officers and the public for their patience and cooperation.
“Trains are running in the area but Huntingdon station remains closed due to trains passing through.
“Passengers will see high visibility of officers at stations and on trains throughout today to reassure the public.”
There are likely to be calls for airport-style security checks before boarding trains. However, considering the large number of passengers and the restrictions at the stations, this does not seem practical.
What is the impact of travel today?
At London King’s Cross, trains are now running north towards Peterborough and beyond, with delays and cancellations occurring.
Trains have resumed passing through the affected area on the East Coast Main Line while police continue to work at the scene at Huntingdon station.
The section of the line between Hitchin and Peterborough passing through Huntingdon has reopened, but there are restrictions as one of the tracks is closed.
The route normally connects London King’s Cross with Yorkshire, north-east England and Scotland, but planned engineering works in the York area mean no trains will run beyond Doncaster.
National Rail says: “Emergency services continue to attend to a major incident between Hitchin and Peterborough. Some lines remain closed while they continue their work.
“Services between London Kings Cross and Peterborough may be cancelled, revised or postponed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”
LNER says: “Customers can postpone their travel until Tuesday 4 November.
LNER Managing Director David Horne said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this serious incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved.
“I would like to thank the emergency services for their quick and professional response and the care they provided to the injured. Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to the police is asked to contact British Transport Police.”
“The safety and well-being of everyone affected remains our priority. We will continue to do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Are train drivers taught to deal with such situations?
Train drivers are highly trained to deal with all kinds of unusual situations and emergency scenarios. It’s all about safety, and it’s crucial that passengers get to the safest possible location as quickly as possible. In this incident the driver, along with LNER crew and control room staff, as well as Network Rail, responded with great skill and professionalism.
