The chilling six-word threat made by the suspected train knifeman during his violent 14-minute rampage has been revealed.
The bloody stabbing spree took place on a high-speed LNER train as it departed Peterborough station on Sunday, leaving 11 people requiring hospital treatment.
Witnesses likened the scenes on the train to “something from a film” as seats were left covered in blood.
And one passenger has come forward to reveal what the suspected attacker said as carnage ensued.
He is reported to have said “the devil is not going to win” as he launched the frenzied attack.
The bloody stabbing spree took place on a high-speed LNER train as it departed Peterborough station
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Passenger Dayna Arnold, 48, told The Telegraph that she saw the attacker approach her while wielding the blade.
She told the newspaper: “I said: ‘Please, please don’t’.
“Then something changed in his eyes and he said: ‘The devil’s not going to win’.”
Another eyewitness, known as Steve, told the BBC: “As soon as we heard something was amiss, we grabbed everything in our bags and said we’re moving down the train, we are going to get to the opposite end.
“They [his children] were very brave and they really looked after each other. They are obviously very shaken up but they were very brave about it.
A 32-year-old black British national is in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder
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“It was just unnerving not knowing what was happening… knowing you were in a box and couldn’t get out of it if you wanted to.
“A lot of people were crying; one of the girls we were with had blood on her coat from when someone had tried to get past, to get away, who had been stabbed so there was a lot of upset and a lot of people were scared about what happened.”
A 32-year-old black British national is in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder.
Police only confirmed details about his nationality some 15 hours after the attack.
Specialist detectives are now reported to be probing the medical and mental health history of the attacker.
Another 35-year-old man was released by police “with no further action” after being arrested at the scene of the mass stabbing.
HUNTINGTON TRAIN STABBING – READ LATEST:
PICTURED: Forensic teams on the platform on Sunday after the stabbing
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PA
A heroic LNER staff member who tried to stop the attack remains in a life-threatening condition.
Five people of the 11 injured in the attack have now been discharged from hospital.
Train driver and Royal Navy veteran Andrew Johnson diverted the London-bound train to Huntingdon within minutes of being told of the stabbing on board.
His actions allowed armed police to respond.
On Sunday, an eyewitness passenger revealed what happened when armed police flooded the station.
Officers shouted “get down, get down” to the suspect, who has been pictured by the Daily Mail brandishing a large knife.
“I think it was a Taser that got him down in the end,” the passenger told Sky News.
Taxi driver Viorel Turturica, 42, said the man shouted “kill me, kill me, kill me” after his arrest.
In the aftermath of the incident, additional police officers are set to be deployed across the rail network in a bid to reassure the public.
A “surge” in officers visibly deployed across the country’s railways are likely to be focused on major terminals such as London, Birmingham, York, Leeds and Manchester, as well as on trains on the East Coast line and in Huntingdon.
At the time of the attack, police declared “Plato” – a codeword used by emergency services in a response to a “marauding terror attack”.
This was soon rescinded – with the Defence Secretary confirming on Sunday that Britain’s terror threat level remained “substantial” yet unchanged.
A number of Nottingham Forest fans travelling home after a match were on board the LNER service when the rampage unfolded.
One supporter told the Express: “We looked back and I could see this tall Black male, early 30s… he looked dead behind the eyes, and he was moving towards us, chasing us with what looked like a kitchen knife. It was bloodied and he was moving through the carriages.”
A season ticket-holder suffered serious injuries after attempting to protect a young child.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has promised to pay any medical bills for fans injured during the incident.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has vowed to pay any medical bills for fans injured
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PAThe Greek businessman said in a statement: “Everyone at Nottingham Forest is shocked and deeply saddened by what happened.
“The courage and selflessness shown by our supporters on that train represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community.
“We will make sure any supporter caught up in this incident receives whatever financial support they require to enable them to access the best possible medical care as they recover.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.”
