'Heroic' rail worker in fight for life after tackling train knife attacker

Single suspect held over stabbings as 11 victims are treated in hospital

- Rajeev Syal Gwyn Topham Ben Quinn

A “heroic” rail staff member who intervened in a mass stabbing to save the lives of high speed train passengers is fighting for his life in hospital, police said yesterday, as a suspect remains in custody.

The member of LNER staff, who is in a “life-threatening condition”, was recorded on CCTV attempting to stop the attacker as the train travelled between Peterborough and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

A 32-year-old British national from Peterborough is being questioned after BTP declared a major incident on the 6.25pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross.

Witnesses described a “terrifying” 14 minutes after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied stabbing victims running through carriages.

The incident on Saturday led to 11 people being treated in hospital after an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station. The suspect, brandishing a large knife, was recorded by a bystander being shot with a Taser as he confronted police on the platform.

He reportedly shouted “kill me, kill me”. A man aged 35 initially arrested was released after officers established he was not involved. Five people have been released from hospital.

BTP deputy chief constable Stuart Cundy said: "This was a horrific attack. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families especially the brave member of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist officers.