Train hero who stepped in to try to stop attacker who 'knifed ten people' is named and pictured

THE train employee left fighting for his life after tackling a knifeman accused of stabbing eleven people has today been named as Samir Zitouni.

Mr Zitouni is "critically unwell" but stable in hospital, after being injured in the neck and face, British Transport Police has said.

The 48-year-old's actions on the Doncaster to London King's Cross service on Saturday evening, November 1 2025, were described as "nothing short of heroic", by the force.

It is understood he has worked for LNER, which runs the line, for more than 20 years.

David Horne, LNER managing director, said: "In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him.

"His actions were incredibly brave, and we are so proud of him, and of all our colleagues who acted with such courage that evening.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with Sam and his family. We will continue to support them and wish him a full and speedy recovery."

The man accused of stabbing the ten people on the train, that made an emergency stop in Huntingdon, and another person in London earlier, appeared in court on Monday.

Anthony Williams, 32, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on November 3, charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after the attacks on the train.

The court named the victims of the ten counts of attempted murder at Huntingdon Railway Station as: Scott Bletcher, David Presland, Sachin Balakrishnan, Michael Paffett, Kevin Neely, Scunthorpe United footballer Jonathan Gjoshe, Stephen Crean, Samir Zitouni, Rasza Aslam and Scott Green.

He was also charged with one count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article over an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London at just before 1am the same day, when a victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.

He also faces a separate count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to an alleged assault on an officer in a custody suite.

Williams appeared handcuffed in the dock surrounded by four security officers, and spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, which he gave as “no fixed abode”.

It is understood he is not known to the security services or counter-terrorism policing, and had not been referred to the government anti-extremism scheme Prevent.

Williams will next appear at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.

Tracy Easton, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Direct, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Anthony Williams with 11 counts of attempted murder, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of possession of a bladed article – following a police investigation into an incident on a LNER train from Doncaster to London on Saturday 1 November 2025.

“Our team of out-of-hours prosecutors worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We worked closely with British Transport Police to review a huge volume of evidence including CCTV.

“The number of charges will be kept under review as this continues to progress.

“We know the devastating impact the events on Saturday’s train had and how the incident shocked the entire country. Our thoughts remain with all those affected.”

Police have confirmed they are also investigating three other knife incidents in the Peterborough area on Friday to see if they are connected to the suspect.

Cambridgeshire police said the first was the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy, who received minor injuries, by a man in Peterborough city centre.

A man was later seen with a knife at a barber’s in Fletton, Peterborough, (CCTV above) at 7.25pm on Friday. That incident was reported at 9.10pm to police. The Cambridgeshire force said a crime was recorded but officers were not sent.

Police said that at 9.25am on Saturday officers were called to the same barber’s. They arrived 18 minutes later and could not find the suspect.

Cambridgeshire police said: “We are currently reviewing all incidents in the timeframe to understand whether there were any further potential offences.”

Terrorism has been ruled out as a motive of the train attacks.