Journalism of Courage
A 32-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a mass stabbing on a high-speed train in the UK’s Cambridgeshire that left 10 people injured. The attack took place on a Doncaster to London King’s Cross service on Saturday evening, leading to an emergency stop at Huntingdon station.
Anthony Williams, from Peterborough, has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possessing a bladed article.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said ten of the attempted murder charges relate to the train attack, while the other is linked to a separate incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London earlier that day.
Tracy Easton, the chief crown prosecutor for CPS Direct, told The Guardian: “Our team of out-of-hours prosecutors worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.”
She added that the number of charges could change as the investigation continues. Williams is due to appear at Peterborough magistrates court on Monday.
British Transport Police (BTP) said the stabbings took place on the 6.25pm Doncaster to London service, which was forced to stop at Huntingdon around an hour into its journey.
Armed officers boarded the train after receiving emergency calls at 7.42pm. “Officers immediately attended Huntingdon station alongside paramedics, where armed police boarded the train and arrested two people within eight minutes of the 999 call being made,” Supt John Loveless told reporters.
Police said one suspect was tasered after brandishing a knife. A second man, aged 35 and from London, was later released without charge after being found not involved in the attack.
A LNER staff member remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital, while four other people are still being treated. Several others have been discharged after receiving medical care.
Police confirmed there is nothing to suggest the incident was linked to terrorism and have appealed for witnesses or information.
The incident prompted an increased police presence across the rail network until at least the end of Monday, with disruption expected between King’s Cross and Peterborough. Huntingdon station is also expected to remain closed until then.
Authorities said the quick response of police and emergency services prevented further injuries.
King Charles, in a message released by Buckingham Palace, said he and Queen Camilla were “truly appalled and shocked” by the attack. “Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected, and their loved ones,” the statement read.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood thanked emergency workers and passengers for their quick response.
“After last night’s horrific attack, my thoughts today are with the victims, their friends and family,” she said in a post quoted by The Guardian. “My deepest thanks go to the British Transport Police, Cambridgeshire police, Cambridgeshire fire and rescue service and the East of England ambulance service. They responded rapidly and saved lives.”
She also praised the “exceptional bravery of staff and passengers on the train”.
