THE couple who were injured in a knife attack at Manchester Victoria station have spoken for the first time about the ordeal.

The man and woman who are in their 50s were left with multiple stab wounds in the incident, which happened on New Year's Eve, while a police officer was also stabbed.

In a statement through Greater Manchester Police, the couple said: “We would like to thank the men and women from British Transport Police who ran into danger to protect us, as well as the paramedics and hospital employees who have shown great care and skill in looking after us.

“We also want to say thank you to GMP for their ongoing support, our families for their care and concern, our friends and the wider public.

“We hope this incident does not divide communities or create tensions.

“Now we would like to be left in peace to make a full recovery.”

Yesterday the police sergeant injured in the attack said "instinct took over" as he ran towards the knifeman.

British Transport Police Sergeant Lee Valentine said: "We had no idea what we were running towards when we heard the screams on New Year's Eve.

"When we saw the man wielding a knife, instinct took over and we were able to, in company with Travel Safe Officers from Metrolink, successfully detain the male."

A 25-year-old who was arrested after the incident has been detained under the Mental Health Act and has been transferred to a 'secure medical facility', police said.

Meanwhile the Counter Terror investigation remains ongoing.