British police have ruled out terrorism as a motive behind the mass stabbing attack on a train in central England on Saturday evening, which left 11 people injured, including two in critical condition. The shocking incident occurred aboard a train travelling from Doncaster to London King’s Cross, prompting an emergency response and the arrest of two suspects within minutes.
Police confirm no terror link
British Transport Police (BTP) Superintendent John Loveless confirmed that investigators have found no evidence suggesting a terrorist motive. “At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident,” Loveless said in a press statement on Sunday.
He added that police were still working to determine the full circumstances and motivation behind the attack. “It would not be appropriate to speculate on the cause of this incident at this stage,” he noted.
Authorities said two British-born men—a 32-year-old Black British national and a 35-year-old British national of Caribbean descent—were arrested within eight minutes of the first emergency call, which was received around 7:42 p.m. local time. Armed officers intercepted the train after it made an unplanned stop at Huntingdon Station, located between Cambridge and London.
Eyewitnesses recount chaos on board
Passengers described scenes of panic and confusion as the attack unfolded. Eyewitness Wren Chambers told the BBC that she initially thought the commotion was a prank before realising people were seriously injured.
“I heard some screaming and shouting a carriage or two down,” she said. “A minute later, a man was running down with a clear wound, bleeding badly from his arm. At first, I thought it was some sort of Halloween prank, but then he shouted that someone’s got a knife.”
Another witness, identified only as Gavin, told Sky News that he saw an “extremely bloodied” victim and believed one of the suspects had been tasered before being detained.
Train seats were reportedly covered in blood, and emergency services rushed to treat the victims once the train stopped. Ten people were taken to hospitals by ambulance, while another person later self-presented for treatment that evening.
Officials and leaders react
British Defence Secretary John Healey described the incident as an “isolated attack”, urging the public not to panic. “This was a horrific event, but it appears to be contained and unconnected to any wider threat,” he said in a statement to Sky News.
King Charles III expressed his “deepest sympathies” to the victims and their families. In an official statement released by Buckingham Palace, he said he was “truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack in Huntingdon” and extended his “deepest sympathy and thoughts” to all those affected.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the attack, saying, “My thoughts are with all those affected after this appalling incident. We owe thanks to the emergency services who responded swiftly and bravely.”
Investigation ongoing
Counter-terrorism officers initially supported the investigation before the terror link was ruled out. Detectives are now focusing on reconstructing the sequence of events and understanding what led to the violence on board the East Coast Main Line service.
The East Coast Main Line is one of Britain’s busiest railway routes, connecting London King’s Cross with major northern cities and Edinburgh Waverley in Scotland. Services were temporarily disrupted following the incident but have since resumed.
Police have urged passengers who were on the train or have mobile footage of the event to come forward to assist with the inquiry. “Our focus now is on the victims and their families, and ensuring that a thorough investigation brings clarity and justice,” Loveless said.