Mayor's View: Our thanks to those who shone in a dark hour
Heroes. There’s no other word to describe the actions of the train crew and emergency services responding to the horrific incident between Peterborough and Huntingdon at the weekend. Or for passengers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect and help others, writes Paul Bristow, Combined Authority Mayor.
They showed bravery without hesitation, in the most unimaginable circumstances.
My first thoughts, of course, are with everyone injured and all those affected by this appalling attack. Their families, friends and colleagues are in the hearts of everyone in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.
But as the shocking details have emerged, so too have stories of remarkable courage. They’ve proven once again that everyday people are capable of extraordinary things.
Being faced with a knife attack within the confined space of a train is unthinkable.
So I am both in awe and very moved by the actions of the railway crew who started their working day with no knowledge of what would happen.
The LNER train driver, Andrew Johnson, from Peterborough, whose quick thinking diverted the train to Huntingdon to allow people to get off quickly and emergency services to reach the scene. His actions were admirable.
He reportedly contacted the control room to move the train from the fast line to the slow line, with a platform at Huntingdon. That decision meant police and medics could be there within minutes.
With understatement he said afterwards he was ‘just doing my job’. In fact, he showed tremendous courage and clear-headedness in frightening circumstances.
And of course, to the LNER train crew member who put others’ lives before his own. The British Transport Police said that CCTV footage shows his actions to be heroic, and which had “undoubtably saved people’s lives”. Heroic really is the only word.
And to responders from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, British Transport Police, East of England Ambulance Service, East Anglia Air Ambulance, Mapgas Air Ambulance, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and other critical response teams – thank you. They are the people with the character and commitment to run towards events like this when normal instinct would be to do the opposite.
At Addenbrooke’s, our region’s medical staff have shown the first-class care that makes them among the country’s best, taking care of the victims.
Like many of you, I was just having a normal Saturday evening when the news started filtering in. And while we never want the media spotlight on our region for these reasons, I take pride from the fact that those who responded that day, from Peterborough, from Cambridgeshire, truly are the best of us.
A case in relation to this incident is currently with Crown Prosecution Service and process must take its course. There will of course be questions about how this happened and what, if any, lessons can be learned. That is right and necessary. But I wanted to use this column to focus on our thoughts for the victims and those who showed tremendous bravery to keep people safe.
They shone in a very dark hour.