On the evening of November 1, 2025, a routine journey aboard the LNER train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross was violently shattered, leaving passengers and staff scrambling for their lives in what authorities have since described as a rare, isolated attack. The incident, which unfolded just minutes after the train departed Peterborough station, has gripped the United Kingdom, prompting an outpouring of shock, praise for acts of bravery, and questions about rail safety in an era of heightened public anxiety.
According to the BBC, the first sign that something was wrong came when a man ran down the carriage with a bleeding arm, shouting, “They’ve got a knife, run.” Passengers quickly realized this was no Halloween prank. Panic erupted as the attacker moved through the train, wielding a large knife. Olly Foster, a witness, recounted, “By the time I got to the end of the carriage, I was actually at the back of it and there was about six of us. There was a girl, bless her, who was really, really in a bit of state because the guy actually tried to stab her. And one of the older guys, who’s an absolute hero, blocked it with his head. We’re giving him jackets to keep the pressure on the blood.”
The chaos lasted between 10 to 15 minutes, but for those onboard, it felt far longer. Passengers, desperate and outmatched, prepared to defend themselves with the only weapon at hand—a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. “We had a Jack Daniels bottle between us and that was it,” Foster said. “So we’re sitting there with one Jack Daniels bottle looking down this carriage, praying someone doesn’t walk down with a knife or a gun.”
The attack, which began about 10 minutes after leaving Peterborough, forced the train to make an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire. Within eight minutes of the first emergency call at 19:42 GMT, armed police boarded the train, tasered the suspect, and arrested him. According to British Transport Police (BTP), a 32-year-old man from Peterborough was taken into custody and is now being treated as the only suspect. A second man, initially arrested, was quickly released after police determined he had no involvement in the attack. Officers recovered a knife at the scene.
Superintendent John Loveless of the BTP addressed the public, stating, “This is a shocking incident and my thoughts are with those who have been injured and their families.” He emphasized that, despite initial fears and the use of code “Plato”—the national codeword for a marauding terror attack—the event is not being treated as terrorism. “Counter terrorism policing were initially supporting our investigation. However, at this stage, there is nothing to suggest this is a terrorist incident.”
In total, eleven people were taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for treatment. Nine initially suffered life-threatening injuries, though by Sunday, four had been discharged. One LNER rail worker remains in a life-threatening condition after reportedly intervening to stop the attack. British Transport Police commended the staff member’s actions, stating, “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.”
Fellow passengers echoed this sentiment. Thomas McLachlan, a 19-year-old returning from Newcastle, described the aftermath: “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.”
McLachlan added, “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.”
The train’s driver, Andrew Johnson, was also praised for his actions. According to The Guardian, Johnson, a former Royal Navy serviceman, made the critical decision to continue to Huntingdon station rather than stopping between stations, allowing emergency services to respond more effectively. Nigel Roebuck of the Aslef trade union noted, “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.”
As the investigation continues, detectives are examining the suspect’s background, including any mental health history, to determine a motive. Police have confirmed that the man boarded the train at Peterborough just minutes before the stabbing rampage began. The British defence secretary, John Healey, has described the attack as isolated but cautioned that the UK is “in a new era of threat.”
The incident has drawn responses from across the political spectrum and public figures. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the “appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon... deeply concerning.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her sadness and urged the public to “avoid comment and speculation at this early stage.” Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the “absolutely horrific attack” and sent thoughts to the victims and first responders. The Prince and Princess of Wales also sent their condolences, with a Kensington Palace spokesperson stating, “His thoughts are also with the first responders and train staff that acted so swiftly.”
Beyond the immediate shock and trauma, the attack has affected the wider community. Nottingham Forest Football Club revealed that many of their London-based supporters were on the train, returning from a match in Nottingham. The club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, said, “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.”
Rail services in the region remain disrupted. LNER has warned that delays and cancellations are likely to continue through Monday, with Huntingdon station still closed as forensics teams work the scene. Replacement buses are running from Peterborough and St Neots, and passengers are permitted to defer travel until November 4 without penalty.
While the motive behind this harrowing attack remains unclear, the resilience and bravery of those onboard, from passengers to rail staff, have stood out as a beacon of hope amid the chaos. As authorities continue their investigation, the nation reflects on the fragility of everyday life—and the heroism that can emerge when it is threatened.
