A train worker critically injured while protecting passengers during a mass stabbing on a London-bound train is being hailed as a hero as police charged the 32-year-old with multiple counts of attempted murder during the weekend attack that left 11 people injured.
“He went to work like a hero”
Government and police ministers have praised the bravery of a train worker who intervened when an attacker began stabbing passengers on Saturday night.
“He went to do his job and he left the job a hero. And there are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery,” Transportation Secretary Heidi Alexander said.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood told parliament: “He went to work on Saturday to do his job. He is a hero today and will be forever.”
Chief investigator Stuart Cundy said CCTV footage showed the worker’s “nothing short of heroic” efforts, adding that his actions “undoubtedly saved lives”.
The staff member remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Suspect charged with multiple knife attacks
Police have identified the suspect as Anthony Williams, 32, of Peterborough, who faces 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possessing a bladed object over a train.
Williams is also charged with attempted murder in a separate knife attack hours earlier at Pontoon Dock light rail station in London, where the victim “suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife,” according to prosecutors.
Investigators are looking into whether Williams was involved in three other knife-related incidents in Peterborough on Friday and Saturday – including one in which a 14-year-old boy was stabbed.
Police said the attacks are not being treated as terrorism-related and Williams is the only suspect in custody. A second man previously detained was released without charge.
Panic and heroism
The attack happened on the London-bound Doncaster train shortly after it left Peterborough at around 7.40pm on Saturday.
Witnesses described scenes of horror and confusion as passengers scrambled through carriages to escape the knife-wielding attacker.
“He asked me, ‘Do you want to die?’ recalled Stephen Crean, 61, who was slashed across his hands, arms and back as he tried to fend off the attacker. “Then I remember his knife going into my arm.
The driver of the train, Andrew Johnson, a Royal Navy veteran, was praised for his quick action in diverting the train to an emergency stop in Huntingdon, allowing passengers to escape and police to intervene.
“I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of my colleagues,” Johnson said. “They are true heroes.
victims
A total of 11 people were hospitalized, four are still being treated for life-threatening injuries.
Among the injured was Scunthorpe United defender Jonathan Gjoshe, who is being treated for moderate injuries.
Authorities have stepped up armed patrols across the rail network to reassure the public, stressing that the incident was isolated and that Britain’s rail system remains “among the safest modes of transport in the world”.
Williams made a brief appearance at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday wearing a gray prison tracksuit and handcuffs. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on December 1.
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