Train Horror: Eleven Injured, Two Critical After Mass Stabbing on Doncaster to London Service
A quiet Saturday night journey from Doncaster to London turned into a nightmare when multiple passengers were stabbed in a terrifying attack aboard a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train. The incident left eleven people injured, including two in critical condition, and has shaken the country.
Police have arrested two men in their 30s, both British nationals, in connection with the assault. Authorities have confirmed there is no indication of terrorism, describing the attack as an isolated yet deeply disturbing event.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the violence, calling it “appalling and deeply concerning.”
How the Attack Unfolded
The violent episode occurred on the 18:25 GMT LNER service traveling from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, to London King’s Cross. Passengers said chaos broke out shortly after the train passed through Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, when a man armed with a knife began attacking people in multiple carriages.
At around 7:40 p.m., terrified passengers called emergency services as screams echoed through the train. Witnesses described panic, confusion, and scenes of horror as people rushed to escape or hide.
The train made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station, roughly 15 minutes south of Peterborough, where armed police boarded within minutes of the first emergency call. Officers quickly restrained and arrested two suspects using Tasers.
The response was swift — within eight minutes, the train was secured and medical teams began treating the injured. Air ambulances, paramedics, and dozens of police vehicles surrounded the station as rescuers rushed to help victims.
Officials estimate the entire ordeal lasted 10 to 15 minutes before police regained control of the situation.
A Rapid and Coordinated Emergency Response
Ben Obese-Jecty, MP for Huntingdon, praised the professionalism of first responders, saying he saw “around ten ambulances, several fire engines, and more than twenty police cars” upon arriving at the scene just after 9 p.m.
The A1307 road outside the station was immediately closed, and Huntingdon station remained sealed off overnight for forensic investigation. Police tents were erected around the platform where the blood-stained train stood motionless.
Uninjured passengers were comforted by emergency workers before being escorted to a coach bound for London.
By Sunday morning, the area was still cordoned off as investigators continued to collect evidence, photograph the scene, and interview witnesses.
Suspects Arrested: What We Know So Far
According to British Transport Police (BTP) Superintendent John Loveless, two men aged 32 and 35, both British nationals, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Authorities confirmed one of the men is a Black British national, and the other is of Caribbean descent. Both were taken to separate police stations for questioning.
Neither suspect has been publicly identified, and investigators have not yet revealed a possible motive behind the attack.
Victims and Their Conditions
Ten victims were rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, about half an hour away from Huntingdon station. Another person later sought medical treatment independently.
As of Sunday morning, two passengers remain in life-threatening condition, while four others have been discharged. Police have not released the names or details of the injured individuals.
Eyewitness Accounts: Chaos and Courage on Board
Passengers recounted horrifying scenes of chaos and confusion as panic spread through the train.
Olly Foster, who was on board, said he first thought the commotion was part of a Halloween prank until he saw people running and shouting, “Run! There’s a guy stabbing everyone!”
He described seeing an older man bleeding heavily after reportedly blocking the attacker to protect a younger woman. “He had deep gashes on his head and neck. Passengers were using their jackets to try to stop the bleeding,” Foster said.
Another traveler, Wren Chambers, told reporters that a man with a stab wound to his arm ran down the carriage, yelling that someone had a knife. “People were screaming. Some locked themselves in the toilets, while others pushed toward the front of the train,” she said.
Dean McFarlane, a London Underground worker, described the scene at Huntingdon station as “utter panic.” He saw “multiple people covered in blood running down the platform. One man’s white shirt was completely red.”
Police Investigation and Terrorism Ruling
The British Transport Police declared a major incident and briefly activated Operation Plato, a national emergency response protocol used in suspected terror attacks. However, after initial assessments, officials ruled out terrorism.
Superintendent Loveless confirmed:
“There is currently nothing to suggest this was a terrorist incident. Our investigation continues to determine the full circumstances and motivation.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said early reports indicated it was an “isolated and contained event.” He added that he regularly travels the same route and praised the emergency services for their rapid response.
Police continue to question the suspects and analyze CCTV footage to piece together the sequence of events.
National Reaction and Messages of Support
The shocking incident has prompted widespread outrage and sympathy from leaders across the UK.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning. My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their swift and professional response.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said her thoughts were with the victims and praised emergency teams for “saving lives through rapid action and professionalism.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla also issued a rare personal statement, saying they were “appalled and shocked” by the tragedy.
“Our deepest sympathy goes to those affected and their loved ones. We are particularly grateful to the emergency services for their courageous response,”* the statement read.
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch expressed horror at the events and commended the swift intervention by police. “I can only imagine how frightening it must have been to be trapped on that train. This should make us all reflect on why such acts of violence continue to rise despite efforts to curb knife crime,” she said.
Impact on Rail Services
LNER advised passengers to check schedules before traveling on Sunday due to ongoing disruptions.
Services between Hitchin and Peterborough have reopened, but Great Northern and Thameslink warned travelers to expect delays and cancellations while investigations continue.
LNER confirmed that tickets for Saturday and Sunday will remain valid through Friday, and full refunds are being offered to passengers who no longer wish to travel.
Knife Crime in the UK: A Growing Concern
The Huntingdon train attack has once again drawn attention to the UK’s ongoing struggle with knife-related violence. Despite years of campaigns, stricter sentencing, and youth intervention programs, knife attacks remain a persistent problem.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that knife crime has risen sharply in recent years, with young men disproportionately affected. The government continues to face pressure to address root causes such as social inequality, youth unemployment, and mental health issues.
Security experts say the latest incident highlights the need for greater vigilance and safety measures on public transport, where passengers often have limited escape options.
A Nation in Mourning and Reflection
As the investigation unfolds, the Doncaster-to-London train attack stands as one of the most shocking public assaults in recent memory. What began as an ordinary journey quickly became a scene of horror — but also one of bravery and humanity.
Amid chaos and fear, passengers worked together to protect one another, and emergency services acted with remarkable speed and courage.
The country now waits for answers — and justice — as detectives work to uncover why such a brutal act occurred on a train that should have been safe for everyone aboard.