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Man, 32, only suspect after train stabbings

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Sunday, November 2


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PA Media Emergency workers are stood on a train platform on the left next to a train which is at a standstill.PA Media
Police met the Doncaster to London King's Cross train as it made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon

A 32-year-old man is now the only suspect after multiple stabbings on a train, police have confirmed.

A member of LNER staff remains in a life-threatening condition following the attacks on a train from Doncaster to London King's Cross, which stopped in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire shortly before 20:00 GMT on Saturday.

A 35-year-old man, arrested at the scene, has been released with no further action after it was reported"in good faith" that he had been involved in the attack.

British Transport Police (BTP) said the suspect, who is from Peterborough, boarded the train at the city' station. They also confirmed five casualties have now been discharged from hospital.

A BTP statement confirmed the LNER staff member had tried to stop the attacker, and said it is"clear his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many people's lives".

Dep Chf Con 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."

The force said a knife had been recovered by officers at the scene.

PA Media Two people are stood on a train platform and are wearing white safety suits. They are stood behind blue and white police tape which has cordoned off an area which is full of rubbish and ambulance equipment.PA Media
Forensics officers remained at the scene on Sunday as investigations continued

David Horne, managing director of LNER, thanked emergency service workers"for their quick and professional response" and said the company and staff were "deeply shocked and saddened" by the incident.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, particularly our colleague who remains in a life-threatening condition, and their family.

"I would also like to recognise the driver, crew and our operational response colleagues for their bravery and quick actions," he said.

'People were getting trampled on'

Jo Black/BBC Amira Ostalski is in the middle of the image looking towards the camera. She has shoulder length light brown hair and is wearing a black coat.
Jo Black/BBC
Amira Ostalski was travelling on the train with her friend which was heading to London King's Cross

Amira Ostalski was on the train with a friend when she saw a person stabbed by a man carrying what appeared to be a large kitchen knife.

Describing the suspect's actions, she said:"It was like he had a mission to stab anyone he saw right in front of him.

"There was blood everywhere - people were screaming, 'he's got a knife'."

She witnessed someone "five or six rows" away being stabbed, adding,"I could have been next".

"People were getting trampled on. It was a very busy train, so people were just trying to run away from the attacker, and people were falling, and people were standing on them. It was horrible," she said.

After the conductor managed to open a door at the station, people began to flee.

"I don't think I'll be able to sit on a train anymore," said Ms Ostalski, adding:"I feel so vulnerable."

PA Media A person is stood in a train taking a picture of one of the red seats. They are wearing a white hazardous suit.PA Media
Forensics officers were at the scene on Sunday, inspecting the empty train

'Many heroes'

Another witness Thomas McLachlan said:"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."

Mr McLachlan saw one injured man who he said had been slashed in the face, adding that he heard the person was"trying to protect a young girl from being attacked by the attacker".

He said:"He took that injury to the face out of protection for her - that's some real selflessness, right there.

"I saw multiple people covered in blood, and seeing how severe their injuries were, I realised this is something really, really bad."

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