Rail worker remains critical after stabbing spree on train

Man is questioned by police after rampage leaves 11 injured

- NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE AMY-CLARE MARTIN

A rail staff member is still fighting for his life and a man remains in police custody after a knife attack unleashed horror on a London-bound train, leaving 11 injured. British Transport Police (BTP) have said there is “nothing to suggest” the rampage is terror-related.

Two suspects were arrested by armed officers within eight minutes of the first 999 call at 7.42pm on Saturday after the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire. A 32-year-old Black British national is being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder. A 35-year-old man from London, who was also arrested at the scene, has been released with no further action.

A man with a large knife is believed to have been brought down with a Taser by officers responding to the attack, which began shortly after the high-speed London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train left Peterborough station at 7.30pm.

Police said there have been no fatalities but one person remains in a life-threatening condition following the stabbings on the 6.25pm service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross.

A “heroic” member of LNER rail staff who tried to stop a train knife attacker and “undoubtedly saved people’s lives” remains in a life-threatening condition, British Transport Police said.

Sir Keir Starmer said the “appalling” incident was “deeply concerning”, while the King paid tribute to first responders, adding that he was “truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack”.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the incident was not being treated as terrorism as she praised the “exceptional bravery of staff and passengers on the train”.

BTP said at one point police declared “Plato”, the national code word used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack”, but this was later rescinded.