A man hailed as a hero for his actions during the Huntingdon train stabbing has been denied a refund by Ryanair after his injuries left him unable to travel to a football match in Austria.
A Hero's Ordeal and a Cancelled Trip
Stephen Crean, 61, was one of eleven passengers hospitalised after being stabbed seven times on an LNER service to London. The incident occurred on Thursday, November 6, 2025, as the train travelled through Cambridgeshire. Mr Crean bravely moved towards the disturbance after hearing screams from another carriage, where he confronted a man brandishing what he described as an 'oversized kitchen knife'.
Another passenger, Astrid, told the BBC that Mr Crean 'saved her life' by placing his own body between her and the assailant. During the attack, Mr Crean sustained significant injuries to his back, hand, head, and bottom before managing to barricade himself in a toilet. He was later rescued by police and taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, from where he was discharged the following Sunday.
Ryanair's Inflexible Refusal
As a direct result of his injuries, Mr Crean was forced to cancel a highly anticipated trip to watch his team, Nottingham Forest, play Sturm Graz in the Europa League in Austria. However, when he sought a refund for his flight from the low-cost carrier Ryanair, his request was flatly denied.
The airline, known for its strict policies, stated that all its fares are non-refundable. In a statement, Ryanair said, 'All Ryanair air fares are non-refundable, which is why we strongly recommend passengers take out travel insurance in order to protect themselves if they can’t travel.' The company's terms and conditions specify that the only valid reason for a refund is the bereavement of an immediate family member.
Community Support and Long Recovery
Despite the setback with Ryanair, Mr Crean has received an outpouring of support. A fundraiser set up by Nottingham Forest fans has raised more than £50,000 for his treatment, to which the club itself generously donated £10,000.
Furthermore, the football club has reportedly offered Mr Crean a free season ticket for next year and an invitation to fly with the team to a future Europa League match. His recovery, however, is ongoing. He still requires plastic surgery and has stitches on all his fingers, stating, 'I don’t know how long it’s going to take.'
Meanwhile, the alleged attacker, 32-year-old Anthony Williams, has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder in connection with the incident.
