UK police have ruled out terrorism as a motive in a train stabbing that saw 11 people hospitalised.
On Saturday night (local time), British Transport Police (BTP) responded to reports of a stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire.
One suspect, a 32-year-old man, is in custody. A train worker who tried to stop the attack is in hospital in “life-threatening condition”.
Here’s what we know.
Incident
BTP attended a train travelling from Doncaster in northern England to King’s Cross station in London following reports of multiple stabbings.
The train’s driver made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station after passengers raised the alarm, allowing police to board the train.
Police found a knife at the scene and arrested two men — a 35-year-old and a 32-year-old.
Ten people were taken to hospital by ambulance and another self-presented.
BTP Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy called the incident a “horrific attack.”
BTP has confirmed a London North Eastern Railway staff member who attempted to stop the attacker is in hospital in a life-threatening condition.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
Cundy said his actions were “nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people’s lives.”
Investigation
Both men arrested at the scene are British nationals.
The 35-year-old man was released on Sunday after BTP confirmed he was not involved.
In a press conference on Sunday, BTP Superintendent John Loveless said detectives had ruled out terrorism.
They are investigating the motivations behind the attack.
Loveless said it would “not be appropriate to speculate” at this stage.
Reaction
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praised first responders for their “rapid” response, and the “exceptional bravery of staff and passengers on the train”.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as “deeply concerning.”
Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch said: “There’s clearly something going wrong in our society right now, which I believe all politicians... need to have a conversation about.”
