Police have arrested two men after multiple passengers were stabbed on an LNER train travelling through Cambridgeshire, in what witnesses have described as a scene of “pure panic”.
The British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed they were called at 19:39 GMT following reports of stabbings on a service bound for Huntingdon. More than 30 officers were deployed to the scene, including armed units.
A large-scale emergency response was launched by the East of England Ambulance Service, which sent ambulances, air ambulances, critical care teams and hazardous area responders.
“We can confirm we have transported multiple patients to hospital,” an ambulance spokesperson said. “Further updates will be issued by British Transport Police.”
The extent of the injuries remains unclear, but passengers described chaotic and violent scenes on board.
Witness accounts
An eyewitness told CambsTimes the suspects “attacked anyone they could” during the rampage.
Another passenger told The Sun the scene was “like something from a film,” adding:
“There was blood everywhere, it was a terrible scene, really violent. It didn’t feel real and just sparked pure panic on board. Shocked onlookers were shaken and traumatised.”
A separate witness told The Mirror he saw a person “hanging out of the train door bleeding” after the train stopped at Huntingdon station.
“I was waiting for the 8:10pm train to King’s Cross when I saw someone hanging out the train door bleeding,” he said.
Passengers reported hiding in toilets as the violence unfolded, while others were left stranded at Huntingdon station, surrounded by armed police and ambulances.
Political and police response
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as “deeply concerning”, thanking emergency services and urging people to follow police advice.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “deeply saddened” by the events and urged the public to “avoid speculation at this early stage.” She confirmed that both suspects were immediately arrested and remain in custody.
Local Labour councillor Alex Bulat expressed sympathies for those affected, calling the news “really worrying.”
Transport disruption
The attack led to major disruption across the East Coast Main Line. LNER has urged passengers to cancel or defer travel, although a limited number of services are running.
Passengers can use their tickets on other train services including:
- Avanti West Coast between London Euston and Manchester
- TransPennine Express between Manchester, Leeds and York/Newcastle
- ScotRail, Northern, East Midlands Railway (EMR), CrossCountry, Greater Anglia, Great Northern and Thameslink services
LNER said it was working to restore services “as quickly as possible,” but warned that trains remain heavily delayed and overcrowded.
Network Rail has confirmed that London King’s Cross station has not been evacuated, contrary to rumours shared online.
What we know so far
- Multiple people were stabbed on an LNER train travelling through Cambridgeshire.
- The train stopped at Huntingdon station, where two men were arrested.
- Several passengers have been taken to hospital with injuries.
- Over 30 officers were deployed to the scene.
- Major disruption continues across the rail network.
What remains unclear
- The number and condition of the injured passengers.
- The motive for the attack.
- Whether there have been any fatalities.
Authorities have asked witnesses and anyone with video footage to contact British Transport Police immediately as investigations continue.