'Hero' train driver in Huntingdon train attack named as Iraq War veteran

The "hero" train driver who rapidly diverted a train to Huntingdon during a violent stabbing attack is believed to be an Iraq War veteran. The driver, who made an emergency unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station so that passengers could flee the violent scene and police could intervene, has been named as Andrew Johnson, reports The Telegraph.

Mr Johnson diverted the train bound for London King's Cross within minutes of being alerted about reports of the attack on board, in which multiple people were stabbed. He is understood to have served in the Royal Navy for 17 years, deployed to Iraq in 2003, and ended his career as a Chief Petty Officer and worked as a weapons engineer.

Speaking on Sunday night, he told ITV News: "I was only doing my job. It was my colleague who is in hospital who was the brave one."

During the Iraq War, Mr Johnson is believed to have served aboard a ship tasked with clearing mines in the Tigris river.

It is reported that Mr Johnson, from Peterborough, became a train driver in 2018, but still regularly supports former servicemen, and was fundraising for the Royal British Legion in his local Waitrose just days before Saturday's attack.

Eleven people were rushed to hospital after an attacker started stabbing passengers aboard the 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to King's Cross, just minutes after it left Peterborough station. Two people remain in hospital in life-threatening conditions.

Train colleagues and members of the public have praised the train staff, stating the incident could have been even more grave if it had not been for their rapid response on a confined high-speed train with few places to hide.

Eddie Dempsey, RMT rail union's general secretary, said: "I want to commend the professionalism, bravery and steadfastness of all the railway workers involved from the train crew to the driver and our members in operations who quickly assisted in diverting the King's Cross-bound train into Huntingdon station, allowing the police and emergency services to take swift action."

He added: "I will be seeking urgent meetings with government, rail employers and police to ensure that we have the strongest possible support, resources and robust procedures in place to protect our members and the travelling public."

On Saturday evening, a huge emergency response swarmed the station, with reports of around 30 vehicles on site, and armed police tasered a man to the ground before apprehending him.

Two British men are being held by police on suspicion of attempted murder.