A man who endured a knife assault on a train heading to London has recounted his encounter with the alleged assailant.
On November 1, a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train traveling from Doncaster to London became the scene of a violent incident when a man attacked 11 passengers with a knife.
The train driver contacted the police through an emergency call after becoming aware of the stabbings, which reportedly took place shortly after the train departed from Peterborough.
The train made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where law enforcement used a taser to subdue the suspect. The suspect was arrested alongside another man, who was later released after it was confirmed he was not involved in the attack.
The victims were transported to the hospital with injuries of varying severities. Among them was a train staff member who was reported to be in a ‘critical but stable condition’.
The BBC reports that five of the victims have since been discharged from the hospital.
Anthony Williams, aged 32, has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder, one count of causing actual bodily harm, and one count of possessing a bladed article.
Several witnesses have shared their accounts of the incident, including a survivor who recalled the suspect’s threatening words during the attack.
Passenger Stephen Crean, on his way back from a soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, recounted his experience. A woman ran through his carriage warning of a ‘knife, knife’.
The 61-year-old informed The Times that he allowed others to escape before confronting the attacker, who was brandishing a large knife.
Crean stated his determination to intervene, saying, “I’ve got to try and get him,” while recounting his actions: “A few people ran past me, I let them go and then I went to go. We got to the buffet bar but I hear the people in there struggling to get in. There was no room for me.”
He described the moment when Williams allegedly waved the knife and asked him three times, “Do you want to die?”
Crean was then stabbed, narrowly avoiding a fatal outcome, and managed to retreat to a train bathroom after the confrontation.
He suffered multiple injuries, with cuts on his fingers, head, arms, and torso, resulting in six stab wounds. His left hand will require plastic surgery, according to ITV.
Reflecting on his actions, he remarked, “Probably not many people would’ve done it, but then you’re leaving people behind you vulnerable.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing. BTP Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy confirmed on November 2 that authorities ‘are confident we are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident’.
He further stated, “As would be expected, specialist detectives are looking into the background of the suspect we have in custody and the events that led up to the attack.”
Williams is scheduled to make an appearance in Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.