Amira Ostalski was just meters away from the alleged attacker onboard the LNER service as she sat in coach G with her friend on their way into London for a night out
05:33, 03 Nov 2025
Amira Ostalski says she is now scared to sit on a train following the horrific attack (Image: Sky News)
A student has told how she thought she “was going to die” when “panic and chaos” broke out in her carriage.
Amira Ostalski had planned a night out in London with her friend Vanessa on Saturday, November 1. But what should have been a fun night out with her friend turned into a living nightmare.
Ms Ostalski and her friend were sat in coach G on the Doncaster to King’s Cross LNER service when they got caught up in the horrific attack.
Emergency responders at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire(Image: PA)
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Armed police officers and paramedics were called to Huntingdon train station following calls by passengers to police at around 19:40 GMT. Police boarded the train, arresting two suspects within eight minutes of the 999 call being made.
A total of 11 people had been treated in hospital but one – a member of LNER rail staff – remains in a life-threatening condition. Detectives have reviewed the CCTV from the train and said it is clear his actions were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved many people’s lives.
British Transport Police declared a major incident on Saturday and counter-terrorism police were initially supporting the investigation. However, at this stage, there is nothing to suggest that this is a terrorist incident.
A Royal Navy veteran has been identified as the driver whose quick-thinking saved the lives of passengers on the train(Image: Facebook)
Speaking to Sky News Ms Ostalski said: “”Everyone was shocked, everyone was terrified. People wanted to know what was going on, everyone’s pushing and shoving. Everyone’s getting trampled.”
Ms Ostalski said she ran into the buffet car where she picked up a metal tray in a desperate bid to protect herself and her friend form the knifeman. She said: “”I was honestly so petrified. I thought in that moment it was the last time I was ever going to be alive. I thought I was going to die.”
When the tain finally stopped at Huntingdon and the passengers were evacuated Ms Ostalski said she thought she was safe. But, when she reached the car park, she turned around and saw the attacker jump the fence and start coming towards her.
Emergency responders on the platform by the train at Huntingdon station(Image: PA)
She said: “I have to admit, the police came really quickly and managed to detain him. I saw them running then took the knife and he got tasered and fell right on the spot.”
Ms Ostalski said she finally found safety in a taxi but will remember the ordeal for the rest of her life. She said: “Honestly, I’m scared to sit on a train.”
In an update yesterday evening police confirmed a 32-year-old British national, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the bloody rampage, is now being treated as the only suspect .
A 35-year-old man from London, who was also detained at the scene, has now been released with no further action – as the BTP confirmed he had no involvement.
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