At a glance
• LNER name heroic train worker who tackled a knifeman on a London-bound train as Samir “Sam” Zitouni.
• “In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him,” the operator said.
• Mr Zitouni’s family say they are “deeply touched by the outpouring of love and kindness” shown to Mr Zitouni, who remains in a critical condition in hospital.
The train worker who bravely tackled a knifeman who went on the rampage on a London-bound train has been named and pictured.
Samir Zitouni, 48, who is known as Sam, remains in hospital after he risked his life to confront the attacker who stabbed multiple people on the Doncaster to London King’s Cross train on Saturday evening.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) paid tribute to Mr Zitouni’s extraordinary bravery in a statement released on Tuesday.
“In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him,” the operator said.
Mr Zitouni is a customer experience host who has worked for LNER for more than 20 years.
He jumped into action to protect customers as the knife attacker carried out his rampage.
British Transport Police (BTP) described his response as “nothing short of heroic,” crediting him with saving multiple lives.
His family has shared a message in response to the overwhelming support they are said to have received.
“We have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and kindness shown to Sam, and by the many well wishes for his recovery. The care provided by the hospital and the support from his colleagues at LNER has been incredible.
“We are immensely proud of Sam and his courage. The police called him a hero on Saturday evening, but to us – he’s always been a hero.”
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, 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.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Monday: “On Saturday, he went to work to do his job - today, he is a hero, and forever will be.”
The LNER staff member is in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the stabbings on the high-speed service.
There were 13 casualties in total, eight of whom remain in hospital, Ms Mahmood said.
Anthony Williams, 32, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with 10 counts of attempted murder following the mass stabbing.
He is also charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article.
Separately, Williams is charged with one count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article over an incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London in the early hours of Saturday, where a victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
He allegedly used a “large kitchen knife” in both attacks, according to court documents.
The BTP confirmed on Tuesday that it is investigating three other knife incidents that took place in the hours before Mr Williams allegedly launched the knife attack.
The force said it was investigating an incident in Peterborough city centre on when a 14-year-old boy was stabbed by a man with a knife at 7.10pm on Friday October 31.
At around the same time a man with a knife entered a barbershop in Fletton, Peterborough, the BTP added.
It said it was also investigating a further incident at the barbers in Fletton which took place at 9.25am on November 1. When police arrived 18 minutes after the incident was reported they could not find a knifeman.
Williams was not known to the security services or counter-terrorism policing, and had not been referred to the Government anti-extremism scheme Prevent, Ms Mahmood told MPs.
