Man, 32, only suspect after Huntingdon train stabbings

A 32-year-old man is now the only suspect after multiple stabbings on a train, police have confirmed.

A member of LNER staff remains in a life-threatening condition following the attacks on a train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, which stopped in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire shortly before 20:00 GMT on Saturday.

A 35-year-old man, arrested at the scene, has been released with no further action after it was reported “in good faith” that he had been involved in the attack.

British Transport Police (BTP) said the suspect, who is from Peterborough, boarded the train at the city’ station. They also confirmed five casualties have now been discharged from hospital.

A BTP statement confirmed the LNER staff member had tried to stop the attacker, and said it is “clear his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many people’s lives”.

Dep Chf Con Stuart Cundy said: “Our investigation is moving at pace and we are confident we are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.”

The force said a knife had been recovered by officers at the scene.

David Horne, managing director of LNER, thanked emergency service workers “for their quick and professional response” and said the company and staff were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, particularly our colleague who remains in a life-threatening condition, and their family.

“I would also like to recognise the driver, crew and our operational response colleagues for their bravery and quick actions,” he said.

Amira Ostalski was on the train with a friend when she saw a person stabbed by a man carrying what appeared to be a large kitchen knife.

Describing the suspect’s actions, she said: “It was like he had a mission to stab anyone he saw right in front of him.

“There was blood everywhere – people were screaming, ‘he’s got a knife’.”

She witnessed someone “five or six rows” away being stabbed, adding, “I could have been next”.

“People were getting trampled on. It was a very busy train, so people were just trying to run away from the attacker, and people were falling, and people were standing on them. It was horrible,” she said.

After the conductor managed to open a door at the station, people began to flee.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sit on a train anymore,” said Ms Ostalski, adding: “I feel so vulnerable.”

The driver of the LNER service has been named as Andrew Johnson.

When the alarm was raised Mr Johnson was said to have contacted the control room to get the train diverted from the fast track to the slow track, which has a platform at Huntingdon.

Mr Johnson’s actions are believed to be why emergency services were able to board the train so quickly.

His quick thinking likely prevented the train from stopping in the middle of nowhere or having to go to the next station – which would have taken 10 to 15 minutes.

Another witness Thomas McLachlan said: “I will say there were definitely many heroes on that day, many kind people who just wanted to help those around them – people handing out blankets, hand warmers.”

Mr McLachlan saw one injured man who he said had been slashed in the face, adding that he heard the person was “trying to protect a young girl from being attacked by the attacker”.

He said: “He took that injury to the face out of protection for her – that’s some real selflessness, right there.

“I saw multiple people covered in blood, and seeing how severe their injuries were, I realised this is something really, really bad.”