The man who has been charged following a mass stabbing on a London-bound train has also been accused of another attack at a London station earlier that day.
Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of bladed article following the attacks on the LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on Saturday evening, British Transport Police said.
He is also charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection to an incident on a train at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London in the early hours of the same day, where a victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
Williams, from Peterborough, will appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court later on Monday.
Five victims have now been discharged from hospital, while a “heroic” railway worker remains in hospital fighting for his life.
A 35-year-old man from London who was also arrested at the scene at Huntingdon railway station has been released with no further action. The British Transport Police also ruled out the motivation of terrorism.
Key Points
- Police name Anthony Williams as man charged with stabbing attack
- Man charged also accused of separate London attack earlier that day
- Injured train staff member 'critical but stable'
- Suspect was not known to counter-terror police
- Recap: What we know about the attack
What other incident has the suspect been accused of?
11:16 , Athena StavrouAnthony Williams, 32, has been charged following the attacks on the LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on Saturday evening, British Transport Police said.
He is also charged in connection to another incident in the early hours of the same day.
He has been charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with an attack on a train at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London.
A victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
Pictured: Increased police presence at London stations after attack
11:03 , Athena Stavrou.jpeg)
Defence secretary praises 'swift' police response
10:50 , Athena StavrouDefence Secretary John Healey has praised the “swift” response of police officers as a man was charged over a mass stabbing on a busy train in Cambridgeshire.
Speaking in Uxbridge, west London, on Monday, he said: “I think the response of the emergency services was swift. The launch of the investigation was swift.
“Quite rightly, the reports to the public on the early assessments and the conclusion, giving the public as much information as the police could as soon as they could, was quite right and this is the latest development in that.
“And if the police have got more to say, they’ll let us know.”
Asked about Kemi Badenoch’s comments that the attack shows there is “clearly something going wrong with our society”, Mr Healey said: “I don’t see that that helps anyone in the situation of coming to terms with that horrific attack on Saturday night.
“I’d rather she talked about the extraordinary response of the train crew, the passengers, the emergency services, all of whom responded in quite a heroic way to what was a very serious attack which could have been so much worse.”
Recap: What we know about the attack
10:38 , Athena Stavrou- The attack began shortly after the London-bound train left Peterborough on Saturday night, causing panic as passengers fled through carriages or barricaded themselves in toilets.
- Eleven people were hospitalised after the attack. One, a member of LNER staff who tried to stop the attack, remains in a ‘critical but stable’ condition, while five others have since been discharged.
- Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder and will appear in court on Monday.
- Huntingdon station itself remains closed, but the rail line has reopened and trains are able to pass through on their way to London
- A 35-year-old man from London who was also arrested at the scene has been released with no further action.
- Police are understood to be investigating all circumstances, including whether mental health was a factor, but it is not believed to have been a terrorist incident.
Watch: Train moved from Huntingdon station after mass stabbing
10:24 , Athena StavrouWilliams to appear in court today
10:12 , Athena StavrouAnthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough has been charged after a mass stabbing attack on a London-bound train on Saturday.
Williams, from Langford Road, Peterborough, will appear at Peterborough Magistrates on Monday morning, police said.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
Man charged also accused of separate London attack earlier that day
09:40 , Athena StavrouThe man who has been charged in connection with a mass stabbing attack on a London-bound train on Saturday has also been accused of another attack in London earlier in the day.
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of bladed article, British Transport Police said.
He is also charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection to an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in the early hours of the same day.
Police name man charged after stabbing
09:12 , Athena StavrouPolice have named the man who has been charged following the mass stabbing on a London-bound train on Saturday.
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of bladed article, British Transport Police said.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: “The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority for British Transport Police.”
“Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences.
“Following the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service I would stress the importance of not saying or publishing anything which might jeopardise or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings, or the integrity of the investigation.”
Train moved from Huntingdon
09:07 , Athena StavrouThe LNER train where the mass stabbing attack took place on Friday has been moved from Huntingdon station.
According to the BBC, the train moved shortly before 8:45am.
Passengers on the train describe horror
08:47 , Athena StavrouSeveral passengers on the train where a mass stabbing took place on Friday have described how the incident unfolded.
Alistair Day, who had travelled to watch Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, was by the buffet car when he thought a Halloween prank was unfolding.
He told the BBC: “Then they’re getting louder and louder, any sorts of people with blood on them [appeared] and I thought, ‘Oh, bloody hell, this is not good’.”
Thomas McLachlan, 19, from London, who was on the train returning from a trip to Newcastle, described how people were leaving the train “drenched in blood”.
He told the BBC: “I saw loads of other passengers getting off absolutely drenched in blood.
“There was one man clutching a white sheet to his head who looked like he was stabbed twice....really severe injuries.”
Dayna Arnold, 48, said she begged the knifeman to spare her life as he stood over her with a 6 inch blade after she was separated from her partner in the panic.
“I was running and when I looked back I saw the knifeman running after me,” the project manager told The Mirror.
“I fell down and I just said, ‘Please don’t kill me’. Something shifted in his face and he just carried on.”
Minister promises a review of security measures at stations and temporary increase in police patrols
08:32 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has promised the government will conduct a review of security measures on train lines in the wake of Saturday's knife attack, as well as increasing visible police patrols at stations over the next few days.
Challenged on whether a temporary increase to patrols would make a long term difference to passenger safety, Ms Alexander insisted that "public transport generally is a low-crime environment".
Speaking to Sky News, she added: "This incident was absolutely horrific on Saturday night, and I don’t want to take away from that in any way – but generally, our trains are some of the most safest forms of public transport anywhere in the world.
“For every one million passenger journeys that are made, there are 27 crimes.”
The transport secretary continued: “Now for me, one crime is one crime too many, so we will after this review all of our security measures because that is the right thing to do.”
Transport secretary pays tribute to 'incredible bravery' of train staff
08:20 , Athena StavrouTransport secretary Heidi Alexander paid tribute to the "incredible bravery" of the member of train staff injured while trying to protect passengers during Saturday's mass stabbing.
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Alexander praised the “incredible bravery of the train staff, the train driver who got that train into Huntingdon station, the Network Rail controller, the signaller who got that train to a place of safety”.
“Most of all, I would like to say thank you to the emergency services and the one individual who is still critically ill in hospital, who is stable I’m pleased to say, but he went into work that morning to work on that train service, to serve passengers and he put himself in harm’s way.
“He went in to do his job and he left work a hero. And there are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery.”
Recap: Police identify 32-year-old as lone suspect
07:58 , Athena StavrouA 32-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the Huntingdon train knife attack is now being treated as the only suspect, British Transport Police (BTP) said.
The man, from Peterborough, boarded the train at Peterborough station.
Another man, a 35-year-old from London, has been released with no further action, BTP said in a statement.
The force said police have established that he was not involved with the attack.
Police also confirmed that a knife was recovered by officers at the scene.
Suspect was not known to counter-terror police
07:45 , Athena StavrouTransport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the suspect in the mass stabbing on Saturday’s 6.25pm rail service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross was not known to counter-terrorism police or MI5.
She told Times Radio: “I’m not going to speculate about his motivations or the events that led up to the incident.”
She added: “What I can tell you is that he was not known to counter-terrorism police, he was not known to the security services, and he was not known to the Prevent programme.”
Asked if the suspect was known to mental health services, she said: “I’m not in a position to share any more information about the individual, I’m afraid.”
Injured train staff member 'critical but stable'
07:34 , Athena StavrouThe member of train staff who was seriously injured in the attack is “critical but stable”, a minister has said.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Times Radio: “There are five people still in hospital, one of whom is the member of train crew… who this morning is in a critical but stable condition.
“Some of the other people who had been taken to hospital on Saturday night have now been discharged.”
Watch: Simon Calder: How Huntingdon train knife attack is impacting the rail network
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerWhat we know about the mass stabbing on a London-bound train
06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarA 32-year-old British man from Peterborough remains in custody after a mass stabbing on a London-bound train left several passengers injured and one rail staff member fighting for his life.
Police said the suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after armed officers intercepted the train at Huntingdon station on Saturday evening.
The attack began shortly after the train left Peterborough, causing panic as passengers fled through carriages or barricaded themselves in toilets.
Initially, two men were detained, but a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent was later released with no further action.
Authorities said there is no evidence the incident was terror-related, describing it as an isolated act.
Detectives are examining the suspect’s background and movements before the attack.
A railway staff member, hailed as “heroic” by police, remains in critical condition after trying to stop the assailant.
What security is there on trains and which services are disrupted today?
06:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
What security is there on trains and which services are disrupted after Huntingdon?
Huntingdon station to stay closed on Monday, but LNER plans ‘normal service’ on intercity routes
05:38 , Simon CalderNational Rail issued an early morning update on disruption on Monday after Saturday’s knife attack on a train travelling from Doncaster to London.
The train was diverted to Huntingdon, where the emergency services helped passengers and crew.
The LNER train remains a crime scene that police are investigating.
Passengers are warned: “The emergency services are continuing to deal with a major incident between Hitchin and Peterborough. Whilst they carry out their work some lines are still closed.
“Great Northern and Thameslink services will not call at Huntingdon.”
LNER posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We expect to run a normal service today. We still recommend checking your journey closer to the time, using our journey checker.“If you have an Advance Single ticket [for Monday] then please travel on your booked service.”
ℹ️#LNERUpdate We expect to run a normal service today. We still recommend checking your journey closer to the time, using our journey checker. If you have an Advance Single ticket then please travel on your booked service. Travel information updates: https://t.co/o0hAZZ3XYh
— London North Eastern Railway (@LNER) November 3, 2025
The train operator says unused LNER tickets for Saturday or Sunday, 1-2 November, are valid for travel up to and including Friday 7 November.
“You don’t need to change or amend your ticket, but LNER recommend making a seat reservation before you travel,” the rail firm says.
Weekend engineering work in the York area has now ended, meaning trains can now run between London, northeast England and Scotland once again.
Eyewitness describes moment the attack unfolded
05:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarAlistair Day, who had travelled to watch Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United, was on the train when the attack unfolded.
He was quoted as saying by the BBC: “I was just by the buffet car. It was odd. I was at the end of the carriage, all these kids were running up and I thought it was like a prank - Halloween or students.”
Day was travelling back to Hertford.
“Then they’re getting louder and louder, any sorts of people with blood on them [appeared] and I thought, ‘Oh, bloody hell, this is not good’.”
Taxi driver says he witnessed knifeman asking the police to 'kill him'
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerTaxi driver Viorel Turturica told ITV News he was parked next to the station when he heard a commotion from a man he believes was the suspect.
“He was holding the knife straight and asking the police to kill him,” Mr Turturica said.
“He repeated three or four times ‘kill me, kill me, kill me’.”
Forest owner offers to pay for club fans injured during train stabbing
04:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarNottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has offered to pay for the medical treatment of any club fans injured in a mass stabbing on a Doncaster-to-London train.
The attack left 11 people injured, two of them critically. Many of those on board were Forest supporters returning to London after the team’s 2–2 draw with Manchester United.
“Everyone at Nottingham Forest is shocked and deeply saddened by what happened,” said Marinakis.
“The courage and selflessness shown by our supporters on that train represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community.
“We will make sure any supporter caught up in this incident receives whatever financial support they require to enable them to access the best possible medical care as they recover.”
Pictured: Forensic teams work at Huntingdon train station
04:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Police identify 32-year-old as lone suspect
03:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarPolice have identified the lone suspect in the UK train stabbing as a 32-year-old Black British man from Peterborough who remains in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
He is believed to have boarded the London-bound train in Peterborough shortly before the attack began.
Initially, two men were detained within minutes of the emergency call, but a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent was later released after investigators determined he was not involved.
Authorities say there is no evidence the incident was terror-related, and detectives are now examining the suspect’s background and actions leading up to the attack.
British Transport Police added that they are not seeking any additional suspects, describing the case as an isolated act.
Football fans on the LNER train during stabbing attack showed 'courage and selflessness', club says
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerNottingham Forest supporters living in London were travelling on the LNER train when the Huntingdon stabbings happened, the football club said in a statement on X, as the owner commended the courage and selflessness of supporters who helped others on board.
The club said: “Many of our London-based supporters were travelling home on that train following our match at the City Ground, and our thoughts are very much with everyone caught up in such a distressing incident.
“The club is aware that many individuals demonstrated extraordinary bravery, which undoubtedly helped prevent even greater harm.
“The entire Nottingham Forest family stands firmly behind them as they recover from the events of yesterday.”
Evangelos Marinakis, the club’s owner, added: “Everyone at Nottingham Forest is shocked and deeply saddened by what happened.
“The courage and selflessness shown by our supporters on that train represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community.
“We will make sure any supporter caught up in this incident receives whatever financial support they require to enable them to access the best possible medical care as they recover.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”
Watch: Forensic officers remain at scene following knife attack on London-bound train in Cambridgeshire
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: What we know about the Huntingdon knife attack
01:00 , Rebecca Whittaker- One 32-year-old British man from Peterborough is in custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
- A 35-year-old man from London who was also arrested at the scene has been released with no further action.
- Police have said there is nothing to suggest a terrorist incident.
- Eleven people were hospitalised after the attack. One, a member of LNER staff who tried to stop the attack, remains in a life-threatening condition, while five others have since been discharged.
- The train, which was heading to London Kings Cross, was diverted the train into Huntingdon station last night so police could respond to the incident. The driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon is understood to be called Andrew Johnson.
- Huntingdon station itself remains closed, but the rail line has reopened and trains are able to pass through on their way to London
‘The devil is not going to win' train attacker told passengers
00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerPassengers on the train involved in the attack tried to hide on the buffet car, the BBC reported.
Alistair Day said he and others managed to get into it after seeing other passengers running towards them with blood on them.
He told the BBC he saw “a man at the window with his knife” trying to get in, but by then the buffet car was locked.
One woman said she came face-to-face with the knifeman who was running through the carriage.
Dayna Arnold told the Mirror she fell as she tried to flee.
“I just said, ‘Please don’t kill me’,” she said.
“Something shifted in his face and he just carried on. He said: ‘The devil is not going to win.'”
Watch: John Healey reveals he was on Cambridgeshire knife attack train route with his wife hours before incident
Sunday 2 November 2025 23:30 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Extra police officers are being deployed following the attack
Sunday 2 November 2025 23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerExtra police officers are being deployed across the rail network following the knife attack on a train near Huntingdon, with disruption on the line expected to last until the end of Monday.
Government sources have confirmed there will be a “surge” in police presence until at least Tuesday focusing on major terminals such as London, Birmingham, York, Leeds and Manchester, as well as at Huntingdon.
The police officers are likely to be most visible in London and at Huntingdon, but will be deployed across as much of the rail network as possible.
There will also be a visible police presence on trains on the east coast mainline, with sources saying officers usually focus on stations but it was “important to reassure passengers”.
Huntingdon train stabbing: Police continue to question British suspect as rail staff member still fighting for life
Sunday 2 November 2025 22:31 , Rebecca WhittakerA rail staff member is still fighting for his life and a British man remains in police custody after a knife attack unleashed horror on a London-bound train, leaving 11 injured.
Read more here:
Huntingdon train stabbing: Police quiz suspect as rail staff member fights for life
Watch: How Huntingdon train knife attack is impacting the rail network
Sunday 2 November 2025 22:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane‘I thought it was a Halloween prank - then people covered in blood appeared'
Sunday 2 November 2025 21:30 , Rebecca Whittaker‘I thought it was a Halloween prank - then people covered in blood appeared’
Rail workers praised for diverting train to Huntingdon
Sunday 2 November 2025 21:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRail workers who helped to divert the train heading to London Kings Cross into Huntingdon station last night have been praised by the RMT union.
Staff diverted the train, which was going at more than 120mph, to a slower line so it could make an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon so police could respond to the incident.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Today I am spending time with RMT members working for LNER and our wider railway family.
“I won't be doing any media interviews until the authorities have established the full facts of this horrific mass stabbing onboard an LNER train.
“I want to commend the professionalism, bravery and steadfastness of all the railway workers involved from the train crew to the driver and our members in operations who quickly assisted in diverting the King’s Cross bound train into Huntingdon station, allowing the police and emergency services to take swift action.
“I will be seeking urgent meetings with government, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures in place to protect our members and the traveling public.”
Prince and Princess of Wales have said their thoughts are with all those affected by attack
Sunday 2 November 2025 20:45 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Prince and Princess of Wales have said their thoughts are with all those affected by the Huntingdon attack.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson told reporters: “I spoke to the Prince of Wales this morning and he also asked me to express his and the Princess of Wales’ thoughts for the families and friends of all those impacted by the horrific events last night near Huntingdon.
“He also wishes for me to express his thoughts are also with the first responders and train staff that acted so swiftly.”
Driver of the train named as Andrew Johnson
Sunday 2 November 2025 20:36 , Rebecca WhittakerThe train, which was heading to London Kings Cross, was diverted the train into Huntingdon station last night so police could respond to the incident.
The driver who stopped the train at Huntingdon is understood to be called Andrew Johnson.
An Aslef union officer said the driver is “very shaken” but “good” and commended him for doing “exactly the right thing”.
Watch: Train stabbing eyewitness describes moment 'hero' threw himself in front of attacker's knife to save girl
Sunday 2 November 2025 20:30 , Rebecca Whittaker'The driver did everything he was trained to do, at the right time and in the right way'
Sunday 2 November 2025 20:15 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Roebuck, full-time organiser in the north-east of England for the train drivers’ union Aslef and lead officer with LNER, said: “The driver did everything he was trained to do, at the right time and in the right way.
“He brought the train into a station where passengers could disembark safely and where police, fire and rescue, and ambulance crew could get on to the train and attend to the victims and, we believe, catch the culprit.
“He showed real courage, real dedication, and real determination in the most difficult of circumstances. Our thoughts tonight are with his colleague who is still in intensive care.”
The train attack is the latest in a number of high-profile multiple stabbings
Sunday 2 November 2025 20:00 , Rebecca WhittakerA 32-year- old man born in Britain is suspected of carrying out the Huntingdon train knife attack which is not believed to have been motivated by terrorism, police have said.
But the train attack is the latest in a number of high-profile multiple stabbings in the UK.
Knife-enabled homicides stood at 196 in the year to June, down 18 per cent from 239 in the previous 12 months.
However, the number of offences classed as knife-enabled threats to kill has risen by 7 per cent year on year from 5,719 to 6,126.
The number of offences classed as “possession of an article with a blade or point” stood at 28,499, up 3 per cent year on year from 27,760 – and higher than the pre-pandemic figure of 23,265 in 2019/20.
Woman begged knifeman 'please don't kill me'
Sunday 2 November 2025 19:45 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin reports...
Dayna Arnold, 48, revealed she begged the knifeman to spare her life as he stood over her with a 6ins blade after she was separated from her partner in the panic.
“I was running and when I looked back I saw the knifeman running after me,” the project manager told The Mirror.
“I fell down and I just said, ‘Please don’t kill me’. Something shifted in his face and he just carried on.”
Meanwhile her partner Andy Gray, 37, used his belt as a torniquet to help a young man who was bleeding profusely from a would on his arm.
“He had gashes on his arm and a severe puncture under his arm. There was a lot of blood coming out of him.
“He said, ‘I’ve been stabbed, please help me.’ It looked like an artery had been hit. I took off my belt and made a tourniquet. He was saying, ‘Please call my dad, I don’t want to die’.”
He added: “I still have [the victim’s] blood on my jumper. I heard there were two people critical so I hoped we saved his life.”
Nottingham Forest football club owner vowed to help fund medical care for any fans involved in attack
Sunday 2 November 2025 19:30 , Rebecca WhittakerNottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has vowed to help fund medical care for any fan involved in the Huntingdon train knife attack after a season-ticket holder suffered serious injuries protecting a young girl.
One of those involved in the incident was a Forest season-ticket holder who suffered serious injuries in the process of protecting a young girl during the attack.
Mr Marinakis said he will fund medical care for any Forest fan injured in the incident.
“Everyone at Nottingham Forest is shocked and deeply saddened by what happened,” He said in a statement.
“The courage and selflessness shown by our supporters on that train represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community.
“We will make sure any supporter caught up in this incident receives whatever financial support they require to enable them to access the best possible medical care as they recover.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”
Watch: ‘It was horrible – you don’t know if you’re going to be next’: Student describes chaos as attacker stabbed passengers on train
Sunday 2 November 2025 19:15 , Rebecca WhittakerTrains are expected to run as normal on Monday
Sunday 2 November 2025 19:00 , Rebecca WhittakerLNER trains is expecting services to run as normal on Monday, but the train company still recommends checking your journey before travelling.
Huntingdon station has been closed all day following the stabbing attack on Saturday night.
ℹ️#LNERUpdate We expect to run a normal service tomorrow, Monday 03 November. We still recommend checking your journey closer to the time, using our journey checker. If you have an Advance Single ticket then please travel on your booked service.https://t.co/o0hAZZ3XYh
— London North Eastern Railway (@LNER) November 2, 2025
Transport secretary says train staff were 'heroic and saved lives'
Sunday 2 November 2025 18:49 , Rebecca WhittakerTransport secretary Heidi Alexander has thanked transport police and train staff for being “heroic” and “saving lives.”
In a post on X she wrote: “From the updates I’ve received throughout the day, it’s crystal clear that the actions of @LNER and @BTP staff last night were heroic and saved lives.
“My thoughts remain with the LNER staff member in hospital and their family.”
From the updates I’ve received throughout the day, it’s crystal clear that the actions of @LNER and @BTP staff last night were heroic and saved lives.
— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) November 2, 2025
My thoughts remain with the LNER staff member in hospital and their family.https://t.co/Krckfb6LKQ
'There were definitely many heroes on that day,' witness says
Sunday 2 November 2025 18:44 , Rebecca WhittakerWitness Thomas McLachlan told the BBC: “I will say there were definitely many heroes on that day, many kind people who just wanted to help those around them – people handing out blankets, hand warmers.
“One other man who I saw, one of the injured people getting off the train, had been slashed in the face – from the account that I heard, he was trying to protect a young girl from being attacked by the attacker, and he took that injury to the face out of protection for her – that’s some real selflessness, right there.”
He went on: “I saw multiple people covered in blood, and seeing how severe their injuries were, I realised this is something really, really bad.
“It just seemed to keep on escalating and escalating.”
Witness sid people were leaving the train were 'drenched in blood'
Sunday 2 November 2025 18:42 , Rebecca WhittakerWitness Thomas McLachlan, 19, from London, who was on the train returning from a trip to Newcastle, described how people were leaving the train “drenched in blood”.
He told the BBC: “I heard the words ‘He’s been stabbed’ and I saw the panic spread among the faces of the people of the carriage.
“A couple of minutes after that the train pulled into Huntingdon and I saw loads of other passengers getting off absolutely drenched in blood.
“There was one man clutching a white sheet to his head who looked like he was stabbed twice. (There were ) really severe injuries. And there was just general fear among everyone involved.”
He went on: “There was one elderly gentleman who had been stabbed (in the) back, just after we exited the station, (he) lifted up his shirt, and he had a seeping wound in his lower back, quite severe.
“I attempted to apply pressure to that, and I was only able to do that for a few seconds before everyone started running again, because that was when the attacker had finally got off the train still holding his knife.
“Everyone went running for dear life, panicking, screaming all around.”
Driver of the train was 'shaken up' but is receiving support
Sunday 2 November 2025 18:30 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Roebuck, Aslef officer who leads on negotiations with LNER, said the driver of the train on which the Huntingdon mass stabbing took place was “shaken up” but is receiving support.
Asked how the driver is doing, Mr Roebuck told Sky News: “He’s good. He was, he was clearly shaken up, you know.
“And obviously we didn’t kind of get too, too into detail about things.
“We just basically said, you know, you know where we are if you need us, the lines are open for us. And I think LNER have probably done the same with him.
“So he’s getting a great level of support, and that’s good, all we can do is make sure that he’s looked after.
“It sounds as if he did exactly the right thing when the emergency developed in that he didn’t stop the train in the middle of two stations where it’s obviously difficult for the emergency services to reach, but he carried on going until he got to Huntingdon, where the response was pretty much already there.”
Watch: Forensic officers remain at scene following knife attack on London-bound train in Cambridgeshire
Sunday 2 November 2025 18:17 , Rebecca WhittakerManaging director of LNER shared thoughts and prayers for colleague in life-threatening condition
Sunday 2 November 2025 18:13 , Rebecca WhittakerDavid 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 co-operate with the authorities involved and will do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this very difficult time.”
Where did the attack happen?
Sunday 2 November 2025 18:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe attack took place on the 18:25 service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross on Saturday.
Passengers on the service passed through the Midlands, with stops including Newark and Grantham, without disturbance.
But shortly after the train left Peterborough, a knifeman reportedly launched a bloody rampage, leaving nine people with life-threatening injuries.
The train was forced to make an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon where around 30 police officers stormed the carriages and a scene was erected. A large emergency services presence remains in the area on Sunday morning.
'We are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident,' Police have said
Sunday 2 November 2025 17:59 , Rebecca WhittakerPolice have confirmed a 32-year-old man is now being treated as the only suspect.
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.
“Anyone with information who hasn’t already spoken to police is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 quoting reference 663 of 01/11/25.”
A 32-year-old man is now being treated as the only suspect
Sunday 2 November 2025 17:58 , Rebecca WhittakerDetectives investigating a multiple stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire can this evening confirm a 32-year-old man who was arrested is now being treated as the only suspect.
A 35-year-old man from London who was also arrested at the scene has been 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 we can confirm that he was not involved.
The 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder 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.
Five casualties have now been discharged from hospital and one remains in a life-threatening condition.
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.
Member of LNER rail staff who tried to stop a knife attacker in life-threatening condition
Sunday 2 November 2025 17:54 , Rebecca WhittakerA “heroic” member of LNER rail staff who tried to stop a knife attacker on a train in Cambridgeshire and “undoubtedly saved many people’s lives” remains in a life-threatening condition, British Transport Police said.
Football fans on the LNER train during stabbing attack showed 'courage and selflessness', club says
Sunday 2 November 2025 17:30 , Rebecca WhittakerNottingham Forest supporters living in London were travelling on the LNER train when the Huntingdon stabbings happened, the football club said in a statement on X, as the owner commended the courage and selflessness of supporters who helped others on board.
The club said: “Many of our London-based supporters were travelling home on that train following our match at the City Ground, and our thoughts are very much with everyone caught up in such a distressing incident.
“The club is aware that many individuals demonstrated extraordinary bravery, which undoubtedly helped prevent even greater harm.
“The entire Nottingham Forest family stands firmly behind them as they recover from the events of yesterday.”
Evangelos Marinakis, the club’s owner, added: “Everyone at Nottingham Forest is shocked and deeply saddened by what happened.
“The courage and selflessness shown by our supporters on that train represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community.
“We will make sure any supporter caught up in this incident receives whatever financial support they require to enable them to access the best possible medical care as they recover.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”
Rail unions call for ‘urgent’ measures to protect members and the travelling public
Sunday 2 November 2025 17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneSimon Calder reports...
The leader of the biggest rail union has praised workers who responded to the knife attack on a train that ended at Huntingdon station.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “I want to commend the professionalism, bravery and steadfastness of all the railway workers involved from the train crew to the driver and our members in operations who quickly assisted in diverting the King’s Cross-bound train into Huntingdon station, allowing the police and emergency services to take swift action.
“I will be seeking urgent meetings with government, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures in place to protect our members and the travelling public.”
The TSSA union, representing white-collar rail staff, highlighted “the urgent need for preventive measures, heightened security, and zero-tolerance towards aggression on our transport system”.
The general secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, said:“This is an appalling attack on passengers and rail workers alike. Our immediate priority is for the welfare of the injured and all those traumatised by what has happened.
“Transport networks must be safe for everyone, both the travelling public and the staff who serve them. We call on the operator and government to act swiftly to review security, to support the affected workers, and to ensure nothing like this happens again.”
The TSSA is seeking assurances “that the rail workforce receives all necessary support, including counselling and time off when needed’.
