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A brave railway employee who intervened to protect travelers during a multiple knife attack on a high-speed train has sustained critical wounds, authorities stated on Sunday.

Details of the Frightening Event

Surveillance video reportedly depicts the employee attempting to halt the assailant as the train traveled between Peterborough and another station in Cambridgeshire. Witnesses described a frightening 14-minute period after the train departed Peterborough, with injured victims running through carriages.

The individual, a 32-year-old citizen from Peterborough, remains in detention for questioning. Police declared a major event on the 6:25 pm service from Peterborough to King's Cross in central London.

Crisis Response and Aftermath

The incident on the weekend led to 11 people being treated in hospital after the train made an unscheduled stop at the station in Huntingdon. Five people have since been discharged from medical care.

A witness recorded the individual brandishing a big knife and being subdued with a Taser as he faced police on the station. He was reportedly heard shouting, "Kill me, end my life."

“This terrible incident has affected many people. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the courageous member of train personnel whose relatives are being assisted by specialist officers,” stated a high-ranking police officer.

Union Reaction and Calls for Measures

Rail associations were swift to commend employees and demand more measures. One union leader stated he would be “requesting immediate discussions with authorities, train companies and police to guarantee that we have the best available support, resources and effective procedures in operation”.

Another association leader urged the train operator and government “to move swiftly to review safety, to support the affected workers, and to ensure that no incident like this happens again”.

Operator Commended for Quick Action

The operator who stopped the train at Huntingdon was reported as being “deeply affected” but “well”, and has been praised by union officials for doing “precisely what was needed”.

“The driver didn’t halt the train in the center of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he continued going until he arrived to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much waiting,” explained a union representative.

Additional Information

Police said they got the initial emergency reports at 7:39 pm, and the train was forced to make an unplanned stop in Huntingdon at 7:50 pm.

One observer recounted at first wondering if the situation was a Halloween joke, but soon understood from people's expressions that it was real.

Police have stated there is nothing to suggest the event was a terror-related incident and have asked the community to provide with any additional details.

Rail operations on the impacted route are anticipated to have delays until the following day, with passengers recommended to postpone their travel where possible.

Individuals with information that could assist the inquiry are encouraged to reach police by texting a designated number with a reference code.