British Transport Police say he ‘saved multiple lives’ and his family have been ‘touched by the outpouring of love and kindness’
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has paid tribute to staff member Samir ‘Sam’ Zitouni for his ‘courageous actions’ after he was seriously injured on Saturday (November 1) during the knife attack on the train heading to Huntingdon. The 48-year-old ‘hero’ has served LNER for 20 years and is still in hospital after ‘stepping forward to protect those around him’, and ‘saving multiple lives’ in the process.
Sam was working the 6.25pm service, which was heading from Doncaster to London King’s Cross when the knife attack erupted. The British Transport Police (BTP) has lauded Sam’s actions as ‘nothing short of heroic’.
His family said they have been touched by how people have spoken so highly of their relative. They said: “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.”
Has anyone been arrested?
Police named a 32-year-old man accused of committing a heinous crime spree across London and the East Midlands. Anthony Williams is charged with with stabbing a man on the DLR in East London, before later the same day knifing 10 people on an LNER train from Peterborough to King’s Cross.
Overall he has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder. Police are investigating five incidents in total which happened in the 24 hour period from Friday to Saturday evening.
Saturday’s attack is understood to have started shortly after the train left Peterborough station. Passengers pulled the emergency alarms on the LNER service.
Train driver Andrew Johnson, who served in the Royal Navy for 17 years, contacted a signaller and requested an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station. Ten patients were taken by ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and one patient self-presented, British Transport Police said on Tuesday.
Six patients have been discharged, four patients remain stable and one, an LNER member of staff, remains stable but critically unwell, BTP said.
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