The pair, aged 32 and 35, remain in police custody amid ongoing enquiries
A cordon remains in place around Huntingdon station, with officers stationed along it(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
The Huntingdon train knife attack is not believed to be terrorism-related, police have confirmed, after arresting two British-born men in connection. The British Transport Police (BTP) said two people remain in a life-threatening condition following the bloody rampage on an LNER train yesterday evening (November 1).
In a statement, Superintendent John Loveless said one suspect is a black British national and the other is a British national of Caribbean descent. Both men, aged 32 and 35, respectively, were born in the UK.
Discarded medical equipment and clothing items could be seen on the platform this morning (November 2)(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
The two suspects remain in separate police stations for questioning, Mr Loveless added. The force declared a major incident and said the pair were arrested after the 6.25pm train service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross was stopped at Huntingdon station.
The attack is believed to have happened shortly after the high-speed service departed Peterborough station. It is currently unclear when the two suspects got on the train, or where they live.
Eleven people have been treated in hospital, with nine originally presented with life-threatening injuries. Four have since been discharged and returned home.
Commenting on whether the incident was terrorism, Mr Loveless told reporters: “British Transport Police declared a major incident yesterday, and counter-terrorism policing were initially supporting our investigation. However, at this stage, there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident.”
Forensic teams and sniffer dogs were also deployed as work to gather evidence began
Armed police officers and paramedics attended Huntingdon station and boarded the train, arresting the two suspects within eight minutes of the 999 call being made. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praised the “exceptional bravery of staff and passengers on the train”.
She too confirmed the incident was not being treated as terrorism. One man, who gave his name as Gavin, told Sky News he believed he saw the suspect tasered before he was arrested.
Olly Foster, who also witnessed the incident, told the BBC an older man “blocked” the attacker from stabbing a younger girl, leaving him with injuries to his head and neck. Other passengers reportedly used their clothing to try and stem the bleeding.
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