A violent incident on a train near Cambridge in the UK has resulted in nine individuals suffering life-threatening injuries, while a tenth person received a less severe wound. The attack occurred at 7:42 PM, local time (6:42 AM AEDT).
Authorities have apprehended two individuals believed to be connected to this troubling event, as confirmed by the police.
An eyewitness recounted the chaotic scene, describing how someone shouted, “They’ve got a knife, run.” Another passenger was reportedly seen lying on the train floor, injured.
Onlookers at the Huntingdon station platform witnessed a distressing sight as the train arrived, with several passengers bleeding as they exited the train.
Dean McFarlane, an employee of the London Underground, shared with the BBC that he saw one of the victims wearing a white shirt “completely covered in blood,” highlighting the severity of the situation.
London Underground worker Dean McFarlane told the BBC one victim was wearing a white shirt “completely covered in blood”.
Passer-by Cassie saw police at the scene as the train arrived at Huntingdon station.
“We thought it was a train crash,” she told Cambridgeshire Live.
“[There were] more emergency services than I have ever seen.”
Some told Sky News of people trampling over each other, and some hiding in the toilets to escape.
Another saw one of the attackers being Tasered by police before being arrested.
Olly Foster told the BBC he heard people shouting “run, run, there’s a guy literally stabbing everyone”, but he believed it might have been a Halloween prank.
He then saw a man “covered in blood” and saw “blood all over the chair” he had leaned on.
A man “blocked” the attacker from stabbing a girl, leaving him hurt, he said.
It was the 6.25pm service travelling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, British Transport Police confirmed.
British Transport Chief Superintendent Chris Casey described the stabbing as “shocking” and said it would take some time before more information about the incident becomes clear.
“This is a shocking incident and first and foremost my thoughts are with those who have been injured this evening and their families,” Casey said.
“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.”
Two people were arrested at the station, which is around 120km north of London.
Huntington MP Ben Obese-Jecty told the BBC the attack happened after the train left Peterborough.
“Plato” was declared initially – the UK code word used by and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack” – before it was later rescinded.
Counter-terrorism officers are assisting in the investigation however police have not yet established a motive.
