TRAIN HORROR
Anthony Williams, 32, charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over Huntingdon train stabbing rampage
The Saturday night horror unfolded in just 15 minutes
A BRITISH man has been charged in connection with the Huntingdon stabbing horror.
Anthony Williams, 32, was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder on Saturday after multiple train passengers were rushed to hospital – with one still fighting for their life.
Police officers and emergency personnel work at the scene on Sunday morningCredit: Reuters
Dramatic footage shared exclusively with The Sun showed the moment a man was arrested
Forensics at the scene following the horror on the LNER train heading to London King’s CrossCredit: PA
Armed police officers stand with British Transport Police officers at the scene on SaturdayCredit: AFP
Williams was also charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of possession of a bladed article.
He will appear at Peterborough Magistrates Court today.
More than 30 officers, including some armed, rushed to Huntingdon station after the train from Doncaster to Kings Cross made an emergency stop at 7.44pm.
On setting off from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, a little over an hour into the journey at just before 7.30pm, multiple stabbings occurred before the diversion was made around 22 miles down the line.
A 35-year-old man from London, also detained at the scene, has since been released with no further action – as the BTP confirmed he had no involvement.
The suspect, from Peterborough, is understood to have boarded the train at Peterborough station.
Five casualties were discharged from hospital hours after the stabbing rampage.
The BTP confirmed one remains in a life-threatening condition.
They are a “heroic” member of LNER rail staff who was on the train and tried to stop the attacker.
David Horne, managing director of LNER, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by yesterday’s incident and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, particularly our colleague who remains in a life-threatening condition, and their family.
“I would like to thank the emergency services for their quick and professional response and the care they provided to those injured.
“I would also like to recognise the driver, crew and our operational response colleagues for their bravery and quick actions.
“This is a deeply upsetting incident. Over the coming days we will continue to co-operate with the authorities involved and will do everything we can to support our customers and colleagues during this very difficult time.”
Counter Terrorism Policing were also called in to support the ongoing probe.
The force declared a “major incident” and at one stage declared “Plato”, the national code word used by police and emergency services when responding to a “marauding terror attack”.
However, British Transport Police Superintendent John Loveless told a briefing on Sunday morning that there is nothing to suggest the stabbings were a terrorist incident – with Defence Secretary John Healey earlier saying it is believed to have been an “isolated attack”.
Police officers and emergency services work alongside an LNER Azuma train at Huntingdon stationCredit: AFP
Armed cops were seen swarming the platform after the horror
The scene at Huntingdon railway station on Saturday eveningCredit: Bav Media
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as “deeply concerning”.
Witnesses on board the train described how passengers were trampled and hid in the toilets as the screams of victims were heard amid the chaos.
One said he initially thought it was a Halloween prank before being left covered in blood.
One passenger told The Times frantic people were hiding in loos as panic spread through the carriages.
Another, called Gavin, told Sky News that a victim screamed: “They’ve got a knife, I’ve been stabbed.”
He added as the train came to a stop the passenger – who was “extremely bloodied” – was “basically on the floor” as they tried to flee the attackers.
Another eye witness described the scene on the train as “horrific” and “pure chaos”.
They told the Sun: “There was blood everywhere, it was a terrible scene, really violent. It was like something from a film.
“It didn’t feel real and just sparked pure panic onboard. Shocked onlookers were shaken and traumatised.”
Shocking footage shows police cars and ambulances flooding the roads outside of the station, as officers raced along the platform before boarding the train.
Forensic teams and sniffer dogs swept the station, with emergency responders seen working on the tracks, while the scene was sealed off to the public.
Evacuated passengers were reportedly being loaded onto coaches to London.
Dayna Arnold, 48, was sat in the same train carriage as the attacker after boarding at Peterborough with her pal Andy Gray, 37.
The site manager, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, said: “I was going with the crowd but then I got knocked into some seats.
“I looked back and saw the knifeman running so I slid down to the floor. He came at me with the knife and I begged ‘please don’t’.
“Then something shifted in his face and he just carried on. I feel very fortunate to still be alive.
“Then a minute or so later he came back through, looked at me again and said ‘the devil’s not going to win’ and continued on.
“I was waiting cause I could still hear him in the carriage. I heard the doors open and ran off the train.
“I saw him take off running and then minutes later police rushed past me and I saw him get tasered by the taxi rank.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales have said their thoughts are with all those affected by the Huntingdon attack.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson told reporters: “I spoke to the Prince of Wales this morning and he also asked me to express his and the Princess of Wales’ thoughts for the families and friends of all those impacted by the horrific events last night near Huntingdon.
“He also wishes for me to express his thoughts are also with the first responders and train staff that acted so swiftly.”
Huntingdon horror timeline: 15 minutes of terror
18:25: Train heading to King’s Cross London departs from Doncaster
19:29: Train departs Peterborough station and knife attack begins soon after
19:39: Cambridge Police receives distress calls of multiple stabbings onboard a train
19.42: British Transport Police records its first call and dispatches officers
19:44: Train makes emergency stop at Huntingdon station
19.50 Within eight minutes of the call to BTP, two suspects are apprehended by armed officers
20:47: BTP announce on X that two people were arrested
Sunday: Police confirm one of those arrested was released with no further action
