Hero rail worker who tried to stop knife man continues to fight for his life after horror train stabbings

A HERO rail worker continues to fight for his life after trying to stop the knife man who stabbed eleven people on a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train from Doncaster to King’s Cross yesterday.

The man who works for LNER and was on the train at the time was stabbed as he tried to stop the attacker.

Five other injured people have now been discharged from hospital with four others thought to be stable.

This casualty is a member of LNER rail staff who was on the train at the time and tried to stop the attacker. Detectives have reviewed the CCTV from the train and it is clear his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many people’s lives.

The knifeman is said to have said "the Devil is not going to win" as he held the knife over her.

Deputy Chief Constable 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.

“As would be expected, specialist detectives are looking into the background of the suspect we have in custody and the events that led up to the attack.

“This was a horrific attack that has had a wide impact. My thoughts and those of everyone in British Transport Police are with those injured and their families – especially the brave member of rail staff whose family are being supported by specialist officers.

“Having viewed the CCTV from the train, the actions of the member of rail staff were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people’s lives.

“My thanks to the public for their patience while we continue our investigation at Huntingdon station. We hope that we will be able to support GTR in reopening the station soon."

The train driver, who brought it to a stop to allow emergency services to board at Huntingdon, has been named as Andrew Johnson, who is believed to be an Iraq War and Royal Navy veteran.

Two people, a 32-year-old man, a black British national, and a 35-year-old man, a British national of Caribbean descent, both born in the UK, were both arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, at the scene after the attacks.

The latter was today released with no further action.

It was reported in good faith to officers responding to the incident that he was involved in the attack, and following enquiries police have confirmed that he was not involved.

They confirmed the 32-year-old man is now being treated as the only suspect and remains in police custody. He is from Peterborough and it is known that he boarded the train at Peterborough station.

A knife was recovered by officers at the scene.

David Horne, Managing Director of LNER said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by yesterday's incident and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, particularly our colleague who remains in a life-threatening condition, and their family.

“I would like to thank the emergency services for their quick and professional response and the care they provided to those injured. I would also like to recognise the driver, crew and our operational response colleagues for their bravery and quick actions.

"This is a deeply upsetting incident. Over the coming days we will continue to cooperate with the authorities involved and will do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this very difficult time."

Superintendent John Loveless said at the scene of Huntingdon station this morning: "This is a shocking incident and my thoughts are with those who have been injured and their families.

"At 7.42pm we were called to reports of a multiple stabbing on board the 6.25pm train service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross

"Officers immediately attended Huntingdon station alongside paramedics, where armed police from Cambridgeshire Police boarded the train and arrested two people within 8 minutes of the first 999 call. The two men remain in police custody.

"Ten people were taken to hospital by ambulance and another person self-presented at hospital later that evening.

"We declared a major incident yesterday and Counter Terrorism Policing were initially supporting our investigation however at this stage there is nothing to suggest this is a terrorist incident. This is a British Transport Police investigation. We continue work to establish the full circumstances and motivation for this incident. At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident.

"The station remains closed, but we expect trains to be passing through the station from this morning. Passengers will see a high visibility presence of police officers at stations and on trains throughout today who are there to reassure the public and respond to any concerns.

"I’d like to thank the public for their patience and their cooperation yesterday evening which has already greatly assisted our investigation – as well as the multi-agency response from the emergency services including our colleagues at Cambridgeshire Police, East of England Ambulance Service, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Counter Terrorism Policing.

"Lastly – I’d appeal for anyone with information, who hasn’t already spoken to police, to contact BTP by texting 61016 quoting reference 663 of 01/11/25.”

Armed police from Cambridgeshire Police boarded the train and made the arrests.

Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said: “This is a shocking incident and first and foremost my thoughts are with those who have been injured this evening and their families.

“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.

A project manager described today how the knifeman told her "The Devil is not going to win" as she begged for her life.

Dayna Arnold, 48, boarded the train with partner, site manager Andy Gray, 37, before the attack started.

They became separated and she fell to the floor before the suspect stood over her with a six-inch blade.

She said: "Please don't" and he continued on.