Huntingdon train attack: LNER thanks ‘heroic’ worker who protected passengers during stabbings
London North Eastern Railway has paid tribute to a staff member over stabbings on a train in Cambridgeshire, saying it “did not hesitate” to protect passengers during a “moment of crisis”.
Samir Zitouni, 48, who has worked at LNER for more than 20 years, remains in hospital following the attacks.
Dozens of passengers had to barricade themselves in carriages and try to protect themselves from the brutal stabbings.
LNER chief executive David Horne praised Mr Zitouni for his “incredibly brave” actions to protect passengers.
He said: “Sam did not hesitate when he stepped forward to protect those around him in a moment of crisis. His actions were incredibly brave and we are proud of him and all our colleagues who acted with such courage that evening.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Sam and his family. We will continue to support them and wish him a full and speedy recovery.”
In a statement released via LNER, his family said: “We are deeply touched by the love and kindness shown to Sam and the many well wishes for his recovery.
“The care the hospital provided and the support from colleagues at LNER were incredible.
“We are extremely proud of Sam and his bravery.
“The police called him a hero on Saturday night, but to us he was always a hero.”
British Transport Police said on Tuesday that 10 patients were taken by ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and one patient self-reported.
BTP said six patients had been discharged, four were in a stable condition and one, a member of LNER staff, was in a stable but critical condition.
Anthony Williams, 32, was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder on Monday morning following the attack on an LNER train bound for London King’s Cross on Saturday evening.
He was also charged with attempted murder over an incident at London’s Pontoon Dock DLR station in the early hours of Saturday, in which a victim was slashed across the face with a knife.
Detectives are also investigating whether the suspect is linked to three other stabbing incidents in Peterborough prior to Saturday’s attack.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs on Monday that the public would have “many unanswered questions” about the train attacker and that there was “much more” the government could do with “new and evolving technology” to tackle knife crime.
Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire Police has launched an internal review into the events leading up to the stabbing.
Chief Constable Simon Megicks said he welcomed the “additional scrutiny”.
Mr Megicks said, as is standard practice, the force referred him to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as an observer, but the referral “did not meet the criteria for a valid referral, so they did not investigate the matter”.
