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Counter-terrorism police have joined an investigation into a mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire which left nine people with life-threatening injuries. The attack happened on Saturday evening aboard the 6.25pm London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross. The train had just left Peterborough station when a man armed with a large knife launched into a violent rampage. Passengers describe scenes of panic Passengers described scenes of chaos and terror as the man began stabbing travellers at random. Witnesses said people screamed, hid in toilets and trampled over each other trying to escape. One man, who gave his name as Gavin, told Sky News: “Essentially, as they got closer to him, started shouting, like, get down, get down. He then was waving a knife, quite a large knife, and then they detained him. I think it was a Taser that got him down in the end.” Another passenger, Olly Foster, told the BBC he initially thought the shouts of “run, run, there’s a guy literally stabbing everyone” were part of a Halloween prank. He later realised the horror was real, saying his hand was “covered in blood” after leaning on a chair where someone had been injured. Foster added that an older man “blocked” the attacker from stabbing a younger girl, suffering wounds to his head and neck in the process. “The incident felt like forever,” he said. Armed police storm train at Huntingdon The train was stopped at Huntingdon station, where armed officers stormed the carriages and Tasered one suspect before making arrests. Two people have been detained. British Transport Police declared a major incident and briefly activated “Plato” — the national protocol for a “marauding terror attack” — before it was stood down. A total of 10 people were taken to hospital, including nine with life-threatening injuries and one with non life-threatening injuries. Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said: “This is a shocking incident and first and foremost my thoughts are with those who have been injured this evening and their families. “We’re conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened, and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further. At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.” Cordons remain in place and trains are not running through the area, with some road closures around Huntingdon station. ‘Appalling and devastating,’ says local MP Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the mass stabbing as an “appalling” and “deeply concerning” incident, saying his thoughts were with those affected and thanking emergency services for their swift response. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “deeply saddened” and urged the public to “avoid comment and speculation at this early stage.” Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty called the attack “appalling and devastating”. He added: “My thoughts are with all those victims who were injured during this heinous attack. I would like to pay tribute to the incredible and immediate response of the emergency services, particularly the Response Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary who were first to arrive on the scene.” Train disruption to last until Monday David Horne, managing director of LNER, said the company was “deeply shocked and saddened by this serious incident”. “Our thoughts are very much with everyone involved,” he said. “I would like to thank the emergency services for their quick and professional response and the care they have provided to those injured. The safety and wellbeing of everyone affected will remain our priority.” LNER said disruption on services between London King’s Cross and Lincoln, Doncaster, Leeds, Bradford Forster Square and Harrogate is expected to last until Monday, with passengers advised to delay travel where possible. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said: “We are horrified by the mass stabbing attack on an LNER train last night. Our thoughts remain with the train crew and passengers who were either at work or going about their business on a busy Saturday night during this awful incident.” “It is important we allow the emergency services and authorities to establish the full facts before commenting further.” Counter-terrorism police continue to support British Transport Police in the investigation as officers work to piece together the events that led to the shocking attack. What happened The police response Political reaction Train operator and travel disruption Wider response
