What to know about a stabbing attack aboard a train in Britain
LONDON (AP) — A routine rail journey was thrown into chaos with multiple deaths stabbed on the train We are advancing rapidly across the east of England.
Two people were arrested in connection with the incident Saturday evening attackcausing injuries to nearly a dozen people.
Police are still working to uncover the motive for the incident but say it does not appear to be an act of terrorism.
Here’s what you need to know:
The train was heading towards London
The train departed from Doncaster in northern England to London’s King’s Cross station at 18.25. He was halfway through his 2-hour journey and had just left a stop in Peterborough when police began receiving reports of stabbings on board.
Passengers said that panicked passengers, some covered in blood, ran down the corridor of the train to get away from the carriage where the violence took place.
Olly Foster said he heard someone shouting “Run, run, a man is literally stabbing everyone” and at first thought it was a Halloween prank – until he touched the seats in the train car and realized he had blood on his hands.
“Everyone was coming after us, really panicking,” Foster told the BBC. He said he saw many people losing heavy blood from their wounds.
Police intervened within minutes
British Transport Police, which ensures railway security, said the first emergency calls came in at 7.42pm.
Within minutes, several dozen police officers, including firearms specialist officers and paramedics, were at the train station in Huntingdon, a town about 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of London.
Soon the train made an unplanned stop at the station and passengers flocked to the platform as armed police officers rushed towards the train.
Two suspects were arrested
British Transport Police said that within eight minutes of the first emergency calls, officers from the local force, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, boarded the train and detained two people.
Witnesses said officers used a stun gun to subdue a suspect who was holding a large knife.
Police said the suspects were both British citizens born in England and described them as a 32-year-old Black man and a 35-year-old man of Caribbean descent. They were being questioned at separate police stations on Sunday on suspicion of attempted murder.
Two victims are in life-threatening condition
Police said 10 people were taken to nearby hospitals, while the 11th person went to the hospital on his own.
Nine people were initially assessed to have life-threatening injuries. But on Sunday morning, police said only two people remained in life-threatening condition. 4 of the injured were discharged.
Police are looking for a motive but say it’s not terrorism
Police Department John Loveless said counter-terrorism police were initially called to support the investigation but “at this stage there is nothing to suggest this is a terrorist incident”.
He said the investigation was being carried out by British Transport Police and that “it would be inappropriate to speculate about the cause of this incident”.
On Sunday the train remained at Huntingdon station and officers wearing forensic suits were working on the platform along with a police dog.
Leaders express their sympathy
Senior politicians and the royal family expressed concern and sympathy for the victims and their friends and families.
Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood “recognized the extraordinary bravery of the staff and passengers on the train.”
King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla were “appalled and shocked.”
“Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with those affected and their loved ones,” the royal couple said in a statement. “We are particularly grateful to the emergency services for their response to this terrible incident.”
