Cambridgeshire train stabbing suspect charged as 'hero' staff member critical but stable | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Attempted Murder Charges
• Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)
• Possession of a Bladed Article
• Train Attack (Doncaster to King's Cross)
• Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Incident
• British Transport Police (BTP)
• Emergency Services Response
• Railway Staff Bravery
• Passenger Response
• Critical but Stable Condition
• Forensic Evidence Gathering
• Complex Investigation
• Increased Security

Criminal Charges and Suspect

Anthony Williams, a 32-year-old man from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder. He is also facing one count of actual bodily harm (ABH) and one count of possession of a bladed article. These charges stem from a train attack that occurred on a service traveling from Doncaster to King's Cross.

The ABH charge is related to an assault on a police officer in a custody suite following the incident in Huntington. Furthermore, Williams is facing an additional count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with a separate incident on London's Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network in the early hours of Saturday.

Incident Details and Response

Huntington Train Attack

The train on which the stabbing attack took place in Huntington was moved from platform two of Huntington Station on the morning of the report. This train had been stationary at the station over the weekend while police and forensic teams gathered evidence.

Injuries: A total of 11 people were injured in the incident.

Railway Staff Heroism: A member of train staff, described as a "hero," is in a critical but stable condition in hospital. The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, paid tribute to this individual. The train driver, identified as Andrew Johnson, is also being commended for his quick thinking.

Driver's Actions: Andrew Johnson alerted signalers in Network Rail, enabling the train to be guided onto a slow line into Huntington Station, a place of safety. This action facilitated a quicker response from emergency services and allowed passengers to disembark more easily. Without this intervention, the train could have ended up in a remote location, making emergency access difficult.

Passenger Experience: Many stabbings reportedly occurred in the middle of the train, causing passengers to flee to other carriages or seek safety in toilet cubicles. The ordeal is described as "terrifying."

DLR Incident

Anthony Williams is also being charged in relation to an incident on the London Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network in the early hours of Saturday.

Investigation and Security Measures

British Transport Police (BTP) Involvement

British Transport Police (BTP) have detained one suspect and are continuing their investigations. The suspect was arrested within 8 minutes of the first emergency call on Saturday night in Huntington, on suspicion of attempted murder. The BTP is described as working "round the clock" to ensure a thorough investigation.

Forensic Evidence

Forensic teams spent much of the weekend gathering evidence at Huntington Station. The train itself, a crime scene, has now been moved.

Complexity of Investigation

The investigation is being described as "very complex."

Security Enhancements

In response to the incident, there is increased security at some of the country's major transport hubs to offer reassurance to passengers.

Statements and Tributes

• Heidi Alexander (Transport Secretary):

  • "I would like to pay tribute to the response of the emergency services – but also the passengers who were on board that service. I can't begin to imagine what it would have been like to have been on that train – but also the response of the railway staff."
  • "The train driver who had the presence of mind to phone the signalers in Network Rail and get the train onto that slow line into Huntington Station and a place of safety."
  • "The individual that you referred to there, Sally, who is a member of the LNER on board train crew. He is in hospital in a critical but stable condition and the bravery that he showed was utterly remarkable. He went to work on Saturday morning to do his job and he left work a hero because he put himself in harm's way and there are people who are alive today who wouldn't be alive had it not been for his actions. And so I want to say a very very big thank you to him personally and to express my best wishes to him and his family."
  • "We've seen some horrific images, haven't we, from the incident over the weekend. You know, it was clearly a terrifying situation, but as you mentioned, it could actually have been so much worse."
  • "I do want to say a massive thank you to everyone who was involved in responding to this incident."
  • "The BTP, the British Transport Police are working round the clock to make sure that no stone is left unturned in working out exactly what has happened here."

• Reporter (Amy Cole):

  • "Detectives will continue to gather evidence. This is still a crime scene. It is closed. You will see the odd service, the odd train going past, but it's still closed – um to passengers at the moment while investigations continue."

Conclusion

The report details a serious incident involving multiple charges of attempted murder against Anthony Williams, stemming from a train attack in Huntington and a separate incident on the DLR. The swift response of emergency services, particularly the quick thinking of the train driver and the bravery of railway staff, is highlighted as crucial in mitigating the severity of the Huntington incident. The investigation is ongoing and complex, with increased security measures being implemented across major transport hubs. The actions of the railway staff and passengers are widely praised for their courage in a terrifying situation.