Rachel Morgan's exclusive report highlights the harrowing experience of Nicole Douglas, an NHS worker who, just two weeks into her role as a 999 handler with the East of England Ambulance Service, found herself at the forefront of a mass stabbing incident on a train. The traumatic event unfolded on 1 November when the London-bound LNER service was forced to make an emergency stop in Huntingdon following multiple reports of stabbings.
The incident began shortly after the train departed Peterborough and within approximately 30 seconds of receiving the call, Douglas realised that the situation had escalated into a potentially life-threatening active attacker scenario. With the control room team working against time to pinpoint the train's location, Douglas handled the crisis with exceptional composure, deploying a rarely used protocol. Her experience has left an indelible mark on her perspective, and she now acknowledges the pivotal role of call handlers in emergency response situations.
As Nicole Douglas recalled the events of that fateful evening, she underscored the challenges faced by those working in control rooms. "You don't expect to take a call like that ever, let alone two weeks into your new job," she stated. Her exceptional handling of the situation has earned her a nomination as a finalist for Call Taker of the Year in the Control Room Awards 2026, with winners due to be announced on 9 July.
In related developments, Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, was arrested upon arrival at Huntingdon and subsequently charged with 13 counts of attempted murder. These charges also encompass alleged attacks prior to the train incident in Peterborough and east London. His trial is scheduled for October.