Trendpills
An off-duty Transport for London (TfL) worker has been celebrated as a hero for his actions during a knife attack on a train at Huntingdon station. Rizwan Javed, 35, intervened when a man began stabbing passengers on a Great Northern service traveling towards Peterborough on a Saturday afternoon. He was traveling with his wife to celebrate their wedding anniversary at the time of the incident.
Witnesses reported that Javed, who has a background in security, put himself between the assailant and other passengers, using his body and a suitcase to form a barricade. He successfully protected several people, including a mother and her young child, but sustained stab wounds to his hand, leg, and torso in the process. His injuries, along with those of other victims, were not considered life-threatening. Details of the heroic on-board intervention highlight his courage in confronting the attacker directly, preventing further harm.
Javed's bravery has been widely praised by officials and the public. Notably, he was previously awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours. Reports on his public service recognition cite his work helping vulnerable people in his community during the COVID-19 pandemic. His actions on the train have been described by his local MP as a testament to his character.
The train driver, Andrew Johnson, an Iraq war veteran from Peterborough, has also been praised for his professionalism. He secured the train and worked with authorities to ensure the safety of everyone on board. British Transport Police, including armed officers, responded swiftly to the scene. The emergency response to the Huntingdon incident led to the arrest of a 29-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities piece together the events of the attack.
