The evening Doncaster–London train was the scene of a stabbing that left nearly a dozen people injured and two in life-threatening condition. Two U.K.-born men, aged 32 and 35, were arrested within minutes after one was reportedly subdued with a Taser. British Transport Police are leading the investigation and say there is currently no evidence the attack was terrorism-related. Senior officials and the royal family expressed sympathy and praised the quick emergency response.
Panic on Board: Stabbing on Doncaster–London Train Injures Nearly a Dozen, Two Arrested
The evening Doncaster–London train was the scene of a stabbing that left nearly a dozen people injured and two in life-threatening condition. Two U.K.-born men, aged 32 and 35, were arrested within minutes after one was reportedly subdued with a Taser. British Transport Police are leading the investigation and say there is currently no evidence the attack was terrorism-related. Senior officials and the royal family expressed sympathy and praised the quick emergency response.
19:07, 02.11.2025Security
What happened: A routine evening rail service from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross was interrupted when multiple people were stabbed aboard the train as it travelled through eastern England. The incident sparked panic among passengers and prompted a rapid police response.
Timeline and location
The service departed Doncaster at 6:25 p.m. and was about halfway through the roughly two-hour journey after leaving Peterborough when emergency calls began reporting stabbings. British Transport Police said the first emergency calls were received at 7:42 p.m., and the train later made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station, about 75 miles (120 kilometres) north of London.
Passenger accounts
Passengers described chaotic scenes as people tried to flee the carriage where the violence occurred. One witness, Olly Foster, told the BBC he initially thought shouts of “Run, run, there is a guy stabbing literally everyone” were a prank until he found blood on his hand after touching seats.
“Everyone was really pushing behind us, really panicking,” Foster said. He added that he saw several people bleeding heavily.
Police response and arrests
Officers from British Transport Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary, supported by specialist firearms teams and paramedics, were on the scene within minutes. Police say two men were detained within eight minutes of the first emergency calls; witnesses reported one suspect was subdued with a Taser while allegedly holding a large knife.
Authorities identified both suspects as U.K.-born British citizens, describing one as a 32-year-old Black man and the other as a 35-year-old man of Caribbean descent. Both were being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder.
Casualties and medical care
Ten people were taken to nearby hospitals and an eleventh went to hospital independently. Authorities initially said nine people had life-threatening injuries; by the following morning that number had fallen to two, and four injured passengers had already been discharged.
Investigation
Police Superintendent John Loveless said counterterrorism officers were contacted to support the investigation at an early stage, but that "at this stage, there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident." British Transport Police are leading the inquiry and have urged against speculation while forensic teams continue to examine the train and platform at Huntingdon.
Official reactions
Senior politicians and members of the royal family expressed sympathy for victims and praise for emergency responders. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood thanked staff and passengers for their bravery, and King Charles III and Queen Camilla described themselves as "appalled and shocked," offering condolences and gratitude to the emergency services.
Ongoing developments: The investigation remains active. Police have not released a motive and say inquiries are continuing. Anyone with information or footage is being asked to contact the authorities.