The British government is urging citizens to stay calm and carry on following a terrifying mass stabbing on a train, which left 11 people injured—two of whom remain in life-threatening condition.
Defense Secretary John Healey described the incident near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, as “isolated” during an interview with Sky News on Sunday morning. He emphasized, “There’s no reason for the rest of us not to get on with our lives.”
Despite the scale and horror of the attack, which left the train in rural England soaked in blood and passengers arming themselves with Jack Daniels bottles, police stated on Sunday that “there is nothing to suggest” the stabbing was an act of terrorism.
Two British citizens, aged 32 and 35, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The incident occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. aboard a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train traveling from Doncaster in South Yorkshire to London’s King’s Cross Station. British Transport Police Superintendent John Loveless confirmed that it remains unclear where the suspects boarded the train, and no further information about their backgrounds or motives has been released.
“Ten people were taken to the hospital by ambulance, and another person self-presented at the hospital later that evening,” Supt. Loveless reported. “While nine were initially believed to have life-threatening injuries, following assessment and treatment, four have been discharged, and two patients remain in a life-threatening condition.”
The police declared a major incident following the attack. Although Counter Terrorism Policing initially supported the investigation, Supt. Loveless reiterated, “At this stage there is nothing to suggest this is a terrorist incident.”
The mayor of Huntingdon, a market town of just 25,000 people located around 60 miles north of London, expressed her shock and disbelief. “It’s something I never thought would ever happen around Huntingdon,” Mayor Audrey McAdam told Sky News through tears. She revealed that police informed her the attack took place within the 12 minutes between the train leaving Peterborough station and stopping at Huntingdon.
“To live in that moment. It’s a horror film, complete horror,” she said.
Huntingdon station remained taped off by police on Sunday morning. The train where the stabbing occurred was still visible on the platform. A strengthened police presence was expected on trains throughout Sunday to reassure the public, Supt. Loveless added.
Amid the horror, stories of bravery have emerged. Eyewitnesses described how an older man intervened to block one of the attackers from stabbing a younger girl, suffering wounds to his head and neck in the process. Meanwhile, other passengers prepared to fight back using a Jack Daniels bottle.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “appalling” attack as “deeply concerning” in a statement posted on X. “My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response,” the Labour politician said.
King Charles also shared his reaction, saying he is “truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack.” Speaking on behalf of his wife, Queen Camilla, he added, “Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with those affected, and their loved ones.”
https://nypost.com/2025/11/02/world-news/uk-pol-tells-country-carry-on-with-your-lives-after-train-mass-stabbing/