HUNTINGDON, UK, 3 November (H.S.): A 32-year-old man is now the sole suspect in a violent stabbing attack on a London-bound train that left eleven people hospitalized and a railway staff member in critical, life-threatening condition after he heroically intervened.The shocking incident occurred on Saturday evening aboard a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service traveling from Doncaster to London King's Cross.
Shortly after passing through Peterborough, a man brandishing a large kitchen knife began indiscriminately attacking passengers, creating scenes of chaos and panic. The train made an emergency, unscheduled stop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, shortly before 8:00 PM GMT, where armed police met the train and boarded it.
British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that the suspect, a 32-year-old from Peterborough, is being held on suspicion of attempted murder. A second man, aged 35, who was initially arrested at the scene, has been released without further action after it was determined he was not involved. Authorities have recovered a knife and stated that the attack is not being treated as a terrorist incident.
A BTP spokesperson praised the railway employee who was critically injured, stating, 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.
The train's driver, Andrew Johnson, was also commended for his quick thinking in diverting the train to a slower track, allowing it to stop at the Huntingdon platform and enabling emergency services to respond swiftly.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as the attacker moved through the carriages. It was like he had a mission to stab anyone he saw right in front of him, passenger Amira Ostalski told the BBC. There was blood everywhere - people were screaming, 'he's got a knife'. She recounted how passengers scrambled to escape, trampling over one another in the crowded train.Eleven people were treated in the hospital for their injuries .
By Sunday evening, five had been discharged. The attack has prompted an increased police presence on the UK's rail network to reassure the public. LNER's managing director, David Horne, expressed that the company was deeply shocked and saddened and extended thoughts and prayers to everyone affected, particularly their critically injured colleague and his family.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
