'People hid in toilets': Passengers thought stabbing was Halloween prank; how attack unfolded on London-bound train

A Saturday evening train journey from Doncaster to London turned into a scene of terror when a knife attack left ten people injured, nine of them critically.

The incident, which unfolded near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, was declared a major incident and has prompted a counter-terror investigation, according to the Daily Mail.

The attack began shortly after the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service departed Peterborough on its way to King’s Cross. Witnesses described panic and confusion as passengers screamed and scrambled for safety, and some hid in the toilets, Daily Mail reported.

Also read: Witnesses describe UK train stabbing horror; 9 critical in suspected terror attack

“Run, run, there’s a guy literally stabbing everyone,” one man shouted, according to eyewitness Olly Foster, who told the BBC that he first thought it was a Halloween prank before realising his hand was covered in blood. Others locked themselves inside toilets to escape the attacker, who was said to be carrying a “big knife.”

Armed officers boarded the train after it made an emergency stop at Huntingdon station, arresting two suspects. British Transport Police (BTP) said ten people were taken to hospital, nine with life-threatening injuries and one with serious but not critical wounds. No deaths have been reported.

Police briefly declared “Code Plato” — the emergency protocol used to respond to potential marauding terror attacks — before it was later stood down. Counter-terrorism police are now assisting BTP as they work to establish the motive for the attack. “It could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything further,” said Chief Superintendent Chris Casey.

Dozens of officers and forensic teams worked through the night at Huntingdon station, where the train was halted. Images showed investigators in white overalls examining the blood-stained carriages as the area remained cordoned off.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “appalling” incident, saying his thoughts were with those affected. Paul Bristow, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, described hearing of “horrendous scenes” on the train. LNER warned passengers not to travel on Sunday, citing major disruption to East Coast Main Line services.