‘Heroic’ rail worker saved many lives in Huntingdon train stabbings, police say

A railway staff member who “saved many people’s lives” is in life-threatening condition after being injured while trying to protect train passengers from a knife-wielding man.

The intervention by the unnamed London North Eastern Railway (LNER) employee was described as “heroic” by a police spokesman.

A 32-year-old man is the only suspect in the attack on the train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, which stopped in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, shortly before 20:00 GMT on Saturday.

After the attack, 11 people were treated in hospital. On Sunday evening, British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that five injured people had been discharged.

An “increase” in police presence is expected at major rail terminals including London, Birmingham, Leeds, York and Manchester until at least Tuesday.

A 35-year-old man who was detained at the scene was also released without further action after being reported “in good faith” to have been involved in the attack. Officers later confirmed this was not the case.

Police confirmed that LNER personnel with life-threatening injuries attempted to stop the attacker.

A BTP spokesman said: “The actions of railway staff monitoring CCTV from the train were heroic and undoubtedly saved people’s lives.” he said.

Police said the suspect, a black British man from Peterborough, boarded a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train at the city station.

Dep Chf Con Stuart Cundy added: “Our investigation is progressing rapidly and we are confident we are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.”

Police recovered a knife at the scene, police said.

The motive of the suspected attacker is not yet known, but police said they do not believe the incident was motivated by terrorism.

LNER chief executive David Horne thanked emergency service workers “for their prompt and professional response” and said the company and staff were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, especially our colleague whose life remains in danger and their families,” he said.

“I would also like to commend the driver, crew and our operational response colleagues for their bravery and swift action.”

Amira Ostalski was on the train with a friend when she saw a person being stabbed by a man carrying what appeared to be a large kitchen knife.

“It was as if he had a duty to stab anyone he saw in front of him,” he said.

“There was blood everywhere; people were shouting ‘he has a knife’.”

Ms Ostalski said she witnessed someone stabbing her “five or six times”, adding: “I could have been next. People were being trampled.”

“It was a very busy train, so people were trying to escape from the attacker, people were falling and people were standing on them. It was scary.”

After the conductor managed to open the station door, people started running away.

“I don’t think I can sit on the train anymore,” Ms. Ostalski added.

It was stated that the driver of the train was former Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Andrew Johnson.

When the alarm went off Mr Johnson He was said to have contacted the control room. to divert the train from the fast track to the slow track, which has a platform at Huntingdon.

Mr Johnson’s actions are believed to be why emergency services were able to get on the train so quickly.

His quick thinking probably prevented the train from stopping in the middle of nowhere or having to go to the next station; This would take 10 to 15 minutes.

A union official said the driver was “very shaken” but “fine” and praised him for doing “exactly the right thing”.

Nigel Roebuck, of Aslef, said: “The driver did everything he was trained to do, at the right time and in the right way.

“He showed real courage, real dedication and real determination in the most difficult circumstances.

“Our thoughts tonight are with his colleague who is still in intensive care.”

Another witness, Thomas McLachlan, said: “There were definitely a lot of heroes that day, a lot of kind people who wanted to help those around them; people handing out blankets, hand warmers.”

Mr McLachlan said he saw an injured man with cuts across his face. He heard the person was “trying to protect a young girl from being attacked.”

He said: “He got that scar on her face to protect her – that’s a completely selfless act.

“I saw multiple people covered in blood, and when I saw how serious their injuries were, I realized this was a really, really bad thing.”

Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood is expected to make a statement about the attack in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon.