A British man is now in custody, suspected of attempted murder following a horrific stabbing spree aboard a train headed for London. This violent incident resulted in 11 people being hospitalized with significant injuries, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
While officials have stated they do not believe the attack to be terrorism-related, the motive behind Saturday evening’s frenzied assault remains unknown. The shocking event forced a commuter train from northern England to halt its journey unexpectedly.
Initially, police reported two arrests on Sunday morning. However, an evening update clarified that one individual was mistakenly identified by witnesses and is no longer considered involved.
Of the eleven victims, five have since been released from the hospital. Tragically, one person remains in critical, life-threatening condition. Police have identified this individual as a courageous member of the London North Eastern Railway staff who bravely intervened to stop the attacker during the incident.
The British Transport Police lauded the staff member’s actions, stating, “Detectives have reviewed the CCTV from the train and it is clear his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many people’s lives.”
The lone suspect remaining in custody is a 32-year-old British man from Peterborough, a city located approximately two hours north of London. A knife believed to have been used in the attack was recovered at the scene. An image from Huntingdon Station on Sunday shows a police officer on a platform near the train where the attack occurred, highlighting the ongoing investigation.
Superintendent John Loveless of the British Transport Police reiterated that “At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident.” He added that the investigation is actively working to uncover the full circumstances and motive, advising against speculation at this early stage.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy confirmed the swift progress of the investigation, stating, “We are confident we are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.” He noted that specialized detectives are thoroughly examining the suspect’s background and the events leading up to the assault.
This train attack adds to a worrying series of recent stabbings across Britain, leaving the nation feeling unsettled. Just last month, a synagogue in Manchester was targeted during Yom Kippur, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. Furthermore, a 22-year-old man was recently charged with murder and attempted murder following a triple stabbing in a west London suburb, where a man walking his dog was killed.
Britain’s political leaders swiftly condemned Saturday’s train attack. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his deep concern via social media, extending his thoughts to all affected and his gratitude to the emergency services for their rapid response.
Defense Secretary John Healey, who had traveled on the same line earlier that day with his wife, appeared on the BBC’s “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg” program. He encouraged the public to stay alert but also assured them that they should continue their daily lives safely.
He remarked that “For now, the early reports suggest this was an isolated incident,” and that “from the public’s point of view, there’s no reason not to continue traveling.”
Emergency responders and police officers were visible at Huntingdon Station on Saturday night, following reports of the attack. David Horne, the managing director of the affected rail line, conveyed the company’s profound shock and sorrow over Saturday’s events. Mr. Horne stated, “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, particularly our colleague who remains in a life-threatening condition, and their family.”
Passengers on board recounted terrifying scenes of panic and horror as the train accelerated towards London’s bustling King’s Cross station. One passenger, Olly Foster, shared his harrowing experience with the BBC and on social media. Foster wrote: “We ran from the back of the train to the end as everyone was screaming to run, explaining there was somebody stabbing everyone and everything. There was blood on the top of countless chairs, coming from 2 of the guys who had been severely stabbed ahead of me.”
As the train made its emergency stop, he and other witnesses described a flood of passengers onto the platform, where fellow travelers and paramedics immediately began assisting the injured.
The transport police reported that the initial calls about the attack came at 7:42 p.m., concerning the 6:25 p.m. service traveling from Doncaster in northern England to London. The train engineers performed an emergency stop at Huntingdon, where armed officers from Cambridgeshire Police swiftly boarded. Superintendent Loveless noted that the arrests of the two men, one of whom was later deemed not involved, occurred “within eight minutes” of the first emergency call.
Officials cautioned that the rail network would face disruptions on Sunday due to the ongoing investigation. Loveless confirmed that additional police resources were being deployed to trains and stations to enhance public safety. He concluded, “Passengers will see a high visibility presence of police officers at stations and on trains throughout today who are there to reassure the public and respond to any concerns.”