London North Eastern Railway has named the crew member who intervened during Saturday’s mass stabbing as 48-year‑old Samir Zitouni. British Transport Police said he remains critically unwell but stable and credited his intervention with saving lives. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the bravery shown as remarkable.
British Transport Police confirmed on Tuesday 4 November that it has primacy for the investigation and is linking the Huntingdon train attack with earlier incidents in Peterborough and an assault at Pontoon Dock DLR the same day. Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder over the train attack and a further count relating to the London incident, alongside charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of a bladed article.
Williams was remanded in custody after a brief hearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday 3 November and is listed to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on 1 December. Ministers and police have said the case is not being treated as terrorism, and BTP has stated it is not looking for other suspects.
Ten patients were taken by ambulance from Huntingdon station to hospital and a further person later self‑presented. As of Tuesday 4 November, seven patients had been discharged; the LNER staff member remains critical, with three others in a stable condition. Local reports said casualties were treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
The incident began shortly after the 18:25 Doncaster–London King’s Cross service left Peterborough. The driver diverted to Huntingdon to enable an emergency response, where armed Cambridgeshire officers boarded and made arrests within eight minutes of the first 999 call. One of two men detained was later released with no further action.
BTP’s lead reflects its statutory jurisdiction over the rail network. Under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, BTP officers have the powers and privileges of constables on railway property across Great Britain, with defined powers off‑network in railway‑related matters. In practice, BTP leads criminal inquiries while territorial forces support on scene.
In its 4 November update, BTP set out the linked‑incident timeline: a 14‑year‑old stabbed in Peterborough on Friday 31 October, two reports of a knifeman at a Fletton barbers on 31 October and 1 November, the Pontoon Dock DLR attack in the early hours of 1 November, and the Huntingdon train stabbings that evening. The force has also increased visible patrols on the rail network this week.
Cambridgeshire Police said Chief Constable Simon Megicks has commissioned an internal review of events prior to the train attack. After the Independent Office for Police Conduct declined to investigate, Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston formally requested that the review proceed, with findings to be reported through his public holding‑to‑account meetings.
For rail staff and passengers, the near‑term changes emphasise visibility over new screening. The Transport Secretary has ruled out airport‑style metal detectors at stations on practicality grounds, while BTP has boosted patrols to reassure the public and continues to stress that the case is not terror‑related.
Witnesses told broadcasters that Mr Zitouni shielded a young girl from the attacker, sustaining head and neck wounds, though detectives have asked the public to avoid speculation while proceedings are active.