The Huntingdon train attack left nine passengers fighting for their lives after a violent stabbing on a London-bound LNER service. Another passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries as the train made an emergency stop in Cambridgeshire on Saturday evening.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and terror as passengers screamed and fled down the carriages. At first, many believed the horror unfolding was a Halloween prank. However, panic spread quickly when travellers saw blood on the seats and floor.
Passenger Olly Foster recalled hearing people shout, “Run, run, there’s a guy literally stabbing everyone.” He leaned on a chair covered in blood and realised the situation was real. “It felt like forever,” he said, describing how people tried to stop the bleeding of wounded travellers.
The Huntingdon train attack occurred on the 6:25pm service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. The train was travelling at high speed through Cambridgeshire when a passenger called emergency services at 7:39pm to report multiple stabbings.
Witnesses said a man carrying a large knife moved through the carriages, injuring several passengers. Some hid in toilets to escape while others helped protect fellow travellers. An older man reportedly stepped in to shield a young woman and suffered severe injuries to his head and neck.
The train’s crew and driver worked with signallers to divert the service onto a slower line. Within 14 minutes, the train stopped safely at Huntingdon Station, where armed officers were already waiting. Police then detained the suspect after using a Taser to subdue him.
Video footage shared online showed armed police sprinting toward the stationary train as emergency vehicles filled the station car park. The injured were rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where nine victims remain in critical condition.
Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said officers were conducting urgent investigations and urged the public not to speculate about motives. Defence Secretary John Healey later stated that early assessments suggest an isolated incident.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed concern, saying his thoughts were with the victims and praising emergency workers for their swift response.
The Huntingdon train attack shocked communities across the UK, raising renewed questions about passenger safety and mental health support on public transport. Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the horrific act while the victims fight for recovery in hospital.
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