King Charles has personally thanked the brave individuals who confronted a knife-wielding attacker during a mass stabbing on a train last month, during a special reception at Buckingham Palace.
Palace Recognition for Courage Under Fire
The monarch met survivors and those hailed as heroes from the violent incident aboard the 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to London King's Cross on 1 November. The attack, which left more than ten people injured, forced the train to divert to Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire.
Among those greeted by the King was train guard Samir Zitouni, who sustained serious injuries after stepping in to protect passengers. Mr Zitouni's actions were credited with saving multiple lives, but the intervention left him in a critical condition following the assault.
The Quick-Thinking Driver and Other Brave Passengers
Also present was the train's driver, Andrew Johnson, a former Royal Navy serviceman. Mr Johnson was praised by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for his decisive action in moving the train onto a slow line, enabling it to stop at Huntingdon. This swift decision allowed emergency services to respond more quickly, a move that likely prevented further harm.
The reception also honoured other passengers who showed remarkable bravery. Stephen Crean, a football fan returning home from watching Nottingham Forest play Manchester United, was injured while fighting back to protect others. Mr Crean disclosed that the injuries he sustained would require plastic surgery.
Student Amira Ostalski recounted the sheer terror of the event, describing how she thought she was going to die. In a moment of quick thinking, she ran to the buffet car, grabbed a metal tray, and used it to defend herself and a friend.
Legal Proceedings Continue
Following the attack, Anthony Williams was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm, and one count of possession of a bladed article. He remains in custody, with further court hearings scheduled for the coming year.
The Buckingham Palace reception served as a poignant moment of national gratitude, highlighting the extraordinary courage displayed by ordinary people during a moment of profound crisis on Britain's railways.
