A wave of terror swept through commuters Saturday evening as reports surfaced of a stabbing on a London-bound train near Cambridge. The incident unfolded as the train approached Huntingdon, a quiet market town suddenly thrust into the center of a harrowing emergency.
Emergency services responded with swift and decisive action. Armed police units and air ambulances converged on Huntingdon station shortly after 7:30 p.m., alerted to the unfolding chaos onboard the Doncaster to London King’s Cross service.
Initial reports confirmed that multiple people had been stabbed during the attack. Authorities quickly secured the scene, arresting two individuals at the station as the train came to a halt. The swiftness of the response likely prevented further escalation.
The East of England Ambulance Service mobilized a large-scale operation, rushing “multiple patients” to hospitals for urgent medical attention. The extent of their injuries remains unknown, but the scene at Huntingdon station was described as deeply distressing.
Local police, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, confirmed their involvement, stating that armed officers were dispatched after receiving the initial call at 7:39 p.m. The station, located approximately 75 miles north of London, became the focal point of the investigation.
News of the attack sent shockwaves through the country, prompting a statement from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He expressed his deep concern and extended his thoughts to all those impacted by the “appalling incident,” praising the rapid response of the emergency services.
Paul Bristow, the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, spoke of “horrendous scenes” unfolding on the train, painting a grim picture of the fear and panic experienced by those onboard. The incident has left the community reeling.
London North Eastern Railway, the train operator, confirmed the incident and issued an urgent warning to passengers, advising them to avoid travel due to “major disruption” across the East Coast Mainline. The railway network is bracing for significant delays as investigations continue.
At this time, the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Investigators are working diligently to piece together the events that led to this shocking act of violence and to understand the circumstances surrounding it.
