Southeastern Train Driver Describes '10 Seconds' to Divert Line Amid Stabbing Attack

Andrew Johnson, a Southeastern train driver, testified before jurors regarding the harrowing moments he faced during a stabbing incident on his service. He recounted having approximately '10 seconds' to make a crucial decision to divert the train onto a different line.

Mr Johnson informed the court that he heard an urgent announcement over the intercom: 'there's a knifeman stabbing people'. This immediate warning prompted him to initiate the diversion, a manoeuvre he described as requiring rapid assessment and action under extreme pressure.

Details of the incident, including the full impact of Mr Johnson's intervention on passenger safety and the assailant's apprehension, remain central to the ongoing court proceedings. The driver's testimony provides a direct account of the chaos and split-second decisions confronted by railway staff during violent attacks.