HUNTINGDON, England, Nov 2 – Two passengers are fighting for their lives following a shocking knife attack on a train traveling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on Saturday night. The violent incident left several others injured and has prompted police to increase patrols across the national rail network as the investigation continues.
Authorities confirmed that two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the attack, which left at least 11 people needing medical treatment. The suspects, both British nationals, are being held separately and questioned by police as investigators work to uncover the motive behind the assault.
Swift Police Response and Investigation Progress
According to Superintendent John Loveless of the British Transport Police, emergency services were alerted at 19:42 GMT on Saturday night when the incident occurred., and within eight minutes officers had arrived at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire, where they boarded the train. Armed police, paramedics, and air ambulance teams were among those dispatched to the scene of what officials described as a chaotic and deeply distressing event.
Superintendent Loveless confirmed that one of the suspects is a 32-year-old Black British man, while the second is a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent. Both were born in the United Kingdom. They remain in custody as detectives pursue lines of inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to the attack.
“Two individuals remain in a life-threatening condition,” Loveless told reporters on Sunday. “After medical evaluation and treatment, four patients have fortunately been released, while the others are still receiving care in hospital.”
Early witness accounts suggest panic broke out moments after the train departed from Peterborough. Passengers reportedly scrambled for safety, with some hiding in compartments and toilets as the attacker moved through the carriages. Several people described hearing screams before the train came to an emergency stop at Huntingdon, where police intervened.
Motive Under Investigation, No Indication of Terrorism
While the attack initially drew the attention of counter-terrorism officers, police later confirmed there is no evidence suggesting the incident was terror-related. Investigators are focusing on the suspects’ personal backgrounds and any possible links between them and the victims.
“At this early stage, it would not be appropriate to speculate on the motivations behind this incident,” Superintendent Loveless stated, emphasizing that the inquiry remains active and complex.
Authorities have been commended for their rapid response. Officers reportedly used a Taser to subdue one of the suspects after boarding the train, preventing further harm to passengers. The swift action has been widely praised by officials and members of the public.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla issued a statement expressing their shock and sympathy for those affected. They said they were “truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack” and extended their “deepest sympathy and thoughts” to the victims, their families, and the first responders who rushed to assist.
By late Sunday morning, the atmosphere at Huntingdon railway station remained somber, with visible police presence and forensic teams examining evidence on board the train.
National Reaction and Political Condemnation
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the event as “an appalling incident” and said it was “deeply concerning.” He praised the emergency services for their professionalism, adding that his thoughts were with all those affected by the attack.
Leaders from across the political spectrum also expressed their dismay. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was “deeply disturbed” by what had happened and later remarked that “there’s clearly something going wrong in our society right now.” Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey commended the “extraordinary bravery” of those who acted to help the wounded passengers, saying that the attack revealed “the very best of Britain in the face of horror.”
Defence Secretary John Healey, who had traveled the same rail route just hours before the incident, said he was shaken by the news. “It’s the service I use every week to get home to Rotherham,” he said. “I can’t begin to imagine how shocked and frightened those passengers must have been.”
When asked whether the event had affected the national terror threat level, Healey clarified that it remains “substantial,” which means an attack is considered likely but there is no immediate indication of an elevated threat.
Public Safety Measures and Continuing Investigation
In the aftermath of the attack, the British Transport Police confirmed that additional officers would be deployed across major train routes and stations to reassure travelers and deter further incidents. Authorities encouraged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious behavior, while emphasizing that such violent acts are rare on the UK’s rail network.
As the victims continue to recover, officials and community leaders have called for unity and calm. The investigation is expected to take several days, with forensic analysis and interviews of passengers and witnesses currently underway.