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A courageous train staff member who intervened to protect travelers during a multiple knife incident on a express train has suffered critical injuries, authorities stated on Sunday.

Details of the Terrifying Incident

Surveillance footage allegedly shows the staff member trying to halt the attacker as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in the county. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute period after the train left Peterborough, with bloodied victims fleeing through carriages.

The suspect, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, is in custody for questioning. Police declared a major incident on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in downtown London.

Crisis Response and Aftermath

The event on the weekend led to 11 people being cared for in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five individuals have since been released from medical care.

A bystander filmed the individual brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a stun device as he confronted officers on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."

“This terrible incident has affected many people. We are thinking of the victims and their families – especially the courageous member of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist personnel,” stated a senior police officer.

Union Reaction and Appeals for Measures

Rail associations were quick to praise staff and demand increased action. One union official stated he would be “requesting urgent meetings with government, train companies and law enforcement to ensure that we have the best possible assistance, tools and effective protocols in place”.

Another association representative urged the rail company and authorities “to act quickly to examine security, to support the impacted employees, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.

Driver Praised for Quick Action

The train driver who halted the service at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “good”, and has been commended by association officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.

“The driver did not stop the train in the center of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on traveling until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the assistance was pretty much waiting,” stated a association representative.

Additional Information

Authorities said they received the first distress calls at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

One witness recounted at first thinking if the event was a Halloween joke, but soon understood from individuals' expressions that it was real.

Authorities have stated there is nothing to suggest the incident was a terrorist incident and have asked the public to provide with any additional details.

Rail operations on the affected route are expected to experience disruption until Monday, with travelers advised to defer their travel where possible.

Anyone with information that could help the investigation are asked to reach authorities by texting a specific number with a reference code.