Eleven people were taken to hospital after a mass stabbing on a high-speed train from Doncaster to London on Saturday evening. By Sunday evening, five had been discharged, but one victim, a rail worker described as a hero, remains in a life-threatening condition.
British Transport Police (BTP) said a 32-year-old black British national remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder. A second man was arrested but released without charge. The attack occurred on the 6.25pm LNER service, which made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire after passengers pulled the emergency alarms at 7.42pm.
Witnesses reported “pure panic” as a man with a large knife began stabbing people. One passenger, Olly Foster, told the BBC he heard shouts of “run, there’s a guy stabbing literally everyone and everything”. Armed police boarded the train and used a Taser to subdue the suspect.
BTP Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy praised the rail worker, saying: “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 worker’s family are being supported by specialist officers.
Police have said there is no evidence to suggest the attack was terrorism-related. Defence Secretary John Healey called it an “isolated attack”. King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock and sympathy for the victims.
