A routine train journey from Doncaster to London descended into a scene of terror and bloodshed on Saturday evening, leaving two passengers fighting for their lives. The attack, which occurred aboard a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service, resulted in ten people being rushed to hospital with stab wounds. An eyewitness who was on the train has provided a harrowing account of the moments when passengers realized they were in grave danger, describing a frantic effort to escape the violence.
The witness, a passenger named Gavin, recalled the sudden shift from a calm journey to one of panic. He heard a desperate cry that cut through the carriage: “They’ve got a knife. I’ve been stabbed.” This shout was the first indication for many that a violent attack was underway. As the train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station, the situation grew more intense. Gavin described hearing police shouting “get down, get down!” as they stormed the train to confront the assailants.
The scene that unfolded was one of both terror and swift police action. Gavin saw the suspect waving what he described as a “quite large knife” before armed officers successfully detained him, reportedly using a Taser to subdue him. While this was happening, the true cost of the attack became visible. Gavin recounted seeing other passengers who were “extremely bloodied” as they fled through the carriages to get away from the violence. He witnessed one individual collapse on the floor before being rushed to a waiting ambulance.
In an update on Sunday, Superintendent John Loveless provided clarity on the victims’ conditions. While four of the ten injured have been discharged from the hospital, two people remain in a life-threatening condition. Loveless confirmed that armed officers had managed to arrest two suspects on suspicion of attempted murder within a remarkably swift eight minutes of the first emergency calls. He also stated that, at this stage, there is nothing to suggest the incident is terrorism-related.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to the news, calling the event an “appalling incident” and expressing his concern. He extended his thoughts to those affected and thanked the emergency services for their rapid and decisive response. The investigation continues as the community reels from the shock of such a violent event on a public transport service.
