Dozens of passengers aboard a busy LNER service from Peterborough to Cambridge found themselves in a waking nightmare this weekend when a mass stabbing erupted onboard, leaving multiple people injured and witnesses traumatised.
Chaos in the Carriage
According to eyewitness accounts, the terrifying incident unfolded around 3:30 PM on Saturday as the train approached Huntingdon station. Passengers described sudden screams and people running through carriages as a man began attacking fellow travellers with a knife.
"It was absolute chaos," recounted Sarah Jenkins, a university student who was returning to Cambridge. "One moment people were reading or looking at their phones, the next there was shouting and people scrambling over seats. I saw a man with what looked like a large kitchen knife, just lashing out at anyone near him."
Bravery Amidst the Terror
As panic spread through the train, several passengers demonstrated remarkable courage, attempting to subdue the attacker and protect others.
Mark Thompson, a construction worker from Peterborough, described how he and two other men tried to create a barrier with luggage to protect women and children. "We grabbed suitcases and bags, anything we could find to put between him and the people at the back of the carriage. He was shouting incoherently, just completely lost it."
Other passengers reportedly pulled emergency alarms and used mobile phones to alert authorities while the train continued moving.
Emergency Response
The train was eventually stopped at Huntingdon station, where armed police and paramedics were waiting. Witnesses described seeing "at least half a dozen people with visible injuries" being helped from the train.
One passenger, who asked to remain anonymous, spoke of the aftermath: "The carriage looked like a war zone. There was blood on seats and the floor, personal belongings scattered everywhere. People were crying, trying to call loved ones. The smell of fear was palpable."
Ongoing Investigation
Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed they arrested a 34-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. Multiple victims were transported to local hospitals, though the exact number and severity of injuries remain unclear.
British Transport Police have launched a full investigation into the incident, with officers reviewing CCTV footage from the train and taking statements from dozens of witnesses.
LNER has issued a statement expressing their "deepest sympathies to those affected" and confirming they are cooperating fully with the police investigation. The rail operator has also established a dedicated support line for passengers who witnessed the traumatic events.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about security on Britain's rail network and comes amid ongoing national debates about knife crime prevention measures.
