Man, 32, only suspect after Huntingdon train stabbings

Police have confirmed that a 32-year-old man is the sole suspect in a stabbing incident that occurred on a train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. The attack, which took place near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, left a railway staff member in critical condition.

Initial reports led to the arrest of a 35-year-old man at the scene, who was later released as it was found that he was not involved in the attack. Five casualties have been discharged from the hospital, according to British Transport Police (BTP) on Sunday evening.

The suspect, hailing from Peterborough, boarded the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train at the city’s station. It was revealed that the LNER staff member who was critically injured bravely tried to stop the attacker.

BTP stated, “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 authorities are confident that they do not need to find any other suspects related to the incident.

The managing director of LNER, David Horne, expressed gratitude towards emergency service workers for their swift response. He mentioned that the company and its staff were deeply shocked and saddened by the incident, extending thoughts and prayers to the affected parties, especially the staff member in a critical condition. Mr. Horne also acknowledged the bravery and quick actions of the driver, crew, and operational response colleagues during the incident.

Among the passengers on the train was Amira Ostalski, who recounted witnessing a person being stabbed by a man wielding a large kitchen knife. She described the chaotic scene with blood, screams, and people trying to escape. Amira expressed her reluctance to board a train again after the harrowing experience.

Andrew Johnson, the train driver, played a crucial role in diverting the train to a platform at Huntingdon following the distress call. His immediate actions enabled emergency services to board the train promptly and prevent further escalation of the situation. Nigel Roebuck from Aslef commended the driver for his courage and correct response during the crisis.

According to witness Thomas McLachlan, multiple individuals displayed acts of heroism and kindness during the incident, offering assistance to those in need. He mentioned seeing an injured man who had provided protection to a young girl and received a facial injury in the process. Mr. McLachlan noted the severity of the injuries sustained by several individuals, highlighting the gravity of the situation.