A routine train journey from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross turned into a nightmare on Saturday night as a knife-wielding attacker injured 11 people on the LNER service.
Terrified passengers recounted scenes of blood, panic, and heroism, while dramatic footage captured a case of mistaken identity that left one man tasered by police.
Mistaken Identity Leads to Shocking Police Taser Incident
In a harrowing moment on the platform at Huntingdon, a 35-year-old man was mistakenly believed to be the attacker.
Officers tasered him as he protested, screaming repeatedly, “It’s not me, it’s not me,” while he lay face-down in handcuffs.
The man has since been released with no further action, as authorities confirmed he was innocent.
Police initially arrested two British men on suspicion of attempted murder.
One, aged 32, remains the sole suspect in the ongoing investigation.
Passengers Describe Scenes of Horror and Confusion
Passengers described running through the train amid screams and blood.
Olly Foster, who was in coach H, explained how he initially thought someone yelling “Run! There’s a guy stabbing everyone!” was joking, only to realize the threat was terrifyingly real.
He added that his hand ended up covered in blood after touching a chair as he sprinted through the carriage.
“There was blood on countless chairs, coming from two people who had been severely stabbed,” he said.
Heroic Acts Amidst the Violence
Despite the chaos, acts of bravery stood out. A young girl was targeted by the attacker, but an older passenger stepped in to protect her, suffering a head injury and a neck wound in the process.
Other passengers tried to find makeshift weapons to defend themselves as the train hurtled toward Huntingdon.
Emergency Response and Police Action
The train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon, a station it was not originally scheduled to call at.
Footage shows the suspect, dressed in black, vaulting a fence as passengers ran for safety.
Police declared a “Code Plato” alert—a protocol used for marauding attacks—but later clarified there was no evidence to suggest terrorism was involved.
Officers and medics treated the injured passengers, one of whom was seen staggering off the train holding a blood-stained cloth to his head.
Fellow travelers rushed to help, offering support amidst the chaos of sirens and screams.
Rail Safety Measures and Investigation
Authorities pledged increased patrols across rail networks following the incident.
The investigation into the 32-year-old suspect continues, as police work to understand the motive and ensure no further threats emerge.
Passengers are still coming to terms with the traumatic experience, with many describing lasting shock from the violent and chaotic events of that night.