The Transport Secretary, , met rail staff and first
responders to the Huntingdon train attack yesterday (6
November 2025), where she thanked them for their quick thinking
and brave actions.
In Peterborough, the Transport Secretary met the
LNER
train driver, , the Network
Rail signaller, and British Transport Police
officers, alongside LNER Managing
Director, David Horne.
The Transport Secretary also visited Huntingdon, where she met
station staff and representatives from Govia Thameslink
Railway.
Transport Secretary, , said:
It was an honour to meet some of the brave first responders to
the horrific train attack in Huntingdon.
LNER's train
driver, Network Rail's signaller, British Transport Police
officers and the staff at Huntingdon station, told me about the
actions they took on Saturday as the attack unfolded.
It was incredibly moving to hear, and it's clear their
quick thinking and selfless responses were nothing short of
heroic.
The measures they took undoubtedly saved lives and it was a
privilege to thank them in person today for their work.
Managing Director of LNER, David Horne, said:
Today has been a special morning as the Secretary of State met
and personally thanked our driver, .
During last Saturday's incident, he demonstrated quick thinking
and stayed calm under pressure. Andrew is a humble man, but he
should be very proud of his actions, just as we are at
LNER.
It was also lovely for me to meet and thank Rob Pape, the Network
Rail signaller who worked with Andrew to bring the train into
Huntingdon that night.
Train driver at LNER, , said:
Having my actions recognised and thanked by the Secretary of
State was very touching. As train drivers, we communicate
regularly with signallers but rarely get to meet them.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet Rob and thank him for
how we worked together on Saturday.
Rob Pape, a signaller on the East Coast Main Line, took an
emergency call from the train driver and worked quickly, calmly
and decisively to reroute the train to the nearest platform in
Huntingdon, allowing emergency services to get onto the train
much quicker.
Signaller for Network Rail, Rob Pape, said:
It has been a real privilege and an honour to meet Andrew and
thank him for his actions on Saturday. Throughout the emergency
call, he remained calm, and it helped us take the decision to
move the train into the nearest station at Huntingdon.
It is unusual to move that train off the fast line and into
Huntingdon, but Andrew's calmness and impressive route knowledge
helped make it a seamless process. Those onboard are the heroes
and my thoughts remain with those impacted.
