Huntingdon train stabbing latest: Man, 32, now sole suspect as ‘heroic’ rail staff member fighting for life

Nottingham Forest fans living in London were traveling on the LNER train when the Huntingdon stabbings occurred, the football club said in a statement on

The club said: “Many of our London-based fans were returning home on that train following our game at the City Ground and we sympathize with anyone caught up in such a heartbreaking incident.

“The club recognizes that many people have shown extraordinary bravery and this has undoubtedly helped to prevent further harm.

“The entire Nottingham Forest family stands firmly behind them as they recover from yesterday’s events.”

The club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, added: “Everyone at Nottingham Forest is shocked and deeply saddened by what has happened.

“The courage and dedication shown by our fans on that train represents the best of humanity and our club’s community.

“We will ensure that any supporters caught up in this incident receive any financial support they need to ensure they have access to the best possible medical care while they recover.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.”

• A 32-year-old British man from Peterborough is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
• A 35-year-old London man who was arrested at the scene was also released without further action.
• Police said there was nothing to suggest it was a terrorist incident.
• After the attack, 11 people were hospitalized. One of the LNER personnel who tried to stop the attack remained in life-threatening condition, while the other five people were later discharged.
• The train, bound for London Kings Cross, was diverted to Huntingdon station last night so police could intervene in the incident. The driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon is understood to be named Andrew Johnson.
• Huntingdon station remains closed but the railway line has reopened and trains will be able to pass through on their way to London

According to the BBC, the passengers on the train who participated in the attack tried to hide in the buffet car.

Alistair Day said he and others managed to enter the vehicle after seeing other passengers running towards them with blood on them.

He told the BBC he saw “a man with a knife at the window” trying to get in, but the buffet carriage was then locked.

A woman said she confronted a knife-wielding man running inside a car.

Dayna Arnold told the Mirror she fell while trying to escape.

“I just said, ‘Please don’t kill me,’” he said.

“Something changed on his face and he continued. He said: ‘The devil will not win.'”

Additional police officers have been deployed on the railway network following a stabbing attack on a train near Huntingdon, with disruption to the line expected to last until the end of Monday.

Government sources have confirmed there will be an “increase” in police numbers focusing on Huntingdon, as well as major terminals such as London, Birmingham, York, Leeds and Manchester, until at least Tuesday.

Police officers are expected to be most visible in London and Huntingdon, but will be deployed across as much of the rail network as possible.

There will also be a visible police presence on trains on the east coast main line. Sources said officers generally focus on stations but it is “important to reassure passengers”.

A railway staff member is still fighting for his life and a British man remains in police custody after a stabbing attack on a London-bound train caused horror and injured 11 people.

Rail workers who helped divert a London Kings Cross-bound train to Huntingdon station last night have been praised by the RMT union.

Staff diverted the train, which was traveling at over 120 miles per hour, to a slower track, making it make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon so police could intervene.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Today I’m spending time with RMT members who work for LNER and our wider rail family.

“I will not be doing any media interviews until the authorities establish the full facts regarding this horrific mass stabbing on the LNER train.

“I would like to recognize the professionalism, bravery and determination of all the railway workers involved, from the train crew to the drivers and our members in operations who quickly helped divert the King’s Cross-bound train to Huntingdon station, allowing police and emergency services to take action quickly.

“I will seek to hold urgent meetings with the government, rail employers and the police to ensure we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures to protect our members and the traveling public.”