On the evening of November 1, 2025, a London-bound train journey turned into a scene of chaos and fear when a knife attack left ten passengers wounded, two of them now fighting for their lives. The stabbing spree unfolded on the 6:25pm London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, as the train approached Huntingdon, a market town about 19 miles northwest of Cambridge. The incident has sent shockwaves through the UK, sparking renewed debate over knife crime and passenger safety on public transport.
According to the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the first emergency call came in at 7:39pm, reporting multiple stabbings on board. Within eight minutes, armed officers boarded the train after it was halted at Huntingdon station. They arrested two men, both British nationals in their thirties—a 32-year-old Black British man and a 35-year-old man of Caribbean descent—on suspicion of attempted murder. The swift police response likely prevented further tragedy, but the violence left a deep mark on everyone involved.
Passengers described scenes of panic and heroism as they scrambled to escape the attacker. Alistair Day, a 58-year-old passenger returning home after a football match, recounted to BBC News how he initially thought the commotion was a prank. "Then they’re getting louder and louder," he said, describing the moment he saw people with blood on them. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Day and others tried to take refuge in the buffet car. "A man at the window with his knife" tried to get in, but the buffet car was locked by then. Day recalled a fellow passenger in a Nottingham Forest tracksuit bravely attempting to confront the attacker, only to later see him "flat-out, covered in blood" on the platform. Another wounded man, stabbed in the chest, remained calm as fellow passengers applied pressure to his wound. "I just want to know he’s OK," Day reflected.
Other witnesses reported seeing "blood everywhere" and passengers being trampled as they tried to flee. Some hid in toilets, desperate to avoid the rampage. The atmosphere was one of terror and confusion, with passengers unsure whether the violence was over or if more attacks would follow. One witness told The Times that people were "getting stamped on by others" in the rush to safety, and another told Sky News that police had to use a taser on one of the suspects during the arrest.
The emergency response was lauded by many, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the incident "appalling" and "deeply concerning." He wrote on social media, "My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response. Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed these sentiments, expressing her "deepest thanks" to the responders and paying tribute to the "exceptional bravery of staff and passengers on the train." Mahmood also confirmed that the attack was not being treated as terrorism, a point later reiterated by British Transport Police. "We now know this attack is not being treated as terrorism, and that two British-born, British nationals have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing," she stated.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced that passengers would see a "high visibility presence" of police at railway stations and on trains in the aftermath of the attack, aiming to reassure the public and address any lingering concerns. She praised the staff and officers who responded to the incident, as well as the patience and cooperation of the public. LNER, the train operator, closed all lines through Huntingdon station while emergency services managed the scene, warning of "major disruption" and advising passengers to defer travel if possible. Although trains were running again by November 2, Huntingdon station remained closed, with services passing through but not stopping.
LNER staff were commended for their professionalism during the crisis. Adam Gill, a passenger on a different train affected by the disruption, told The Independent that staff were "constantly trying to update us, bring out drinks, and help as much as they could." He added, "The train guard was really professional. He was on the tannoy every ten minutes, updating us and saying things like, 'We’re all in this together.' They gave as much information as they could but were also really mindful of passengers, especially the kids on board." LNER also assured passengers that they would be reimbursed for hotel costs if stranded overnight due to the disruption.
The community response extended beyond the train and its passengers. Ben Obese-Jecty, the local MP for Huntingdon, expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, while Huntingdon Town FC, the local football club, sent thoughts and prayers to those affected and thanked emergency services for their efforts. Even King Charles weighed in, releasing a statement through Buckingham Palace: "My wife and I were truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack that took place on board a train in Cambridgeshire last night. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected, and their loved ones. We are particularly grateful to the emergency services for their response to this awful incident."
The stabbings have reignited concerns about rising knife crime in England and Wales. According to official government data, knife crime has been steadily increasing since 2011. Prime Minister Starmer has described it as a "national crisis," and the Labour government has made efforts to tackle the problem, including the seizure or surrender of nearly 60,000 blades in recent years. Carrying a knife in public can result in up to four years in prison, and government figures show that knife murders dropped by 18 percent in the past year. Still, the attack on the train comes just weeks after a stabbing spree at a Manchester synagogue that left two dead—including one killed by misdirected police gunfire—highlighting the persistent threat posed by knife violence.
British Transport Police Superintendent John Loveless provided an update on November 2, noting that four of the initially nine critically injured had been discharged, but two remained in life-threatening condition. He thanked the public for their assistance and urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the police presence at stations and on trains continues, serving as both a deterrent and a reassurance to travelers shaken by the events.
As details continue to emerge, questions remain about the motives behind the attack and the identities of the suspects and victims. What is clear, however, is the resilience of the passengers, staff, and first responders who faced a night of terror with courage and composure. The incident has left a scar on the community, but it has also sparked a renewed determination to address the underlying issues of knife crime and public safety in the UK.
