Huntingdon train stabbing victim 'didn't have much choice' but to fight back

A victim of the Cambridgeshire train stabbings has spoken of the injuries he suffered, as an investigation was launched into whether the suspect was involved in other incidents.

Stephen Crean said he "didn't have much choice" but to fight back as the knifeman approached him on the LNER service from Doncaster to London King's Cross on Saturday.

The 61-year-old said passengers ran into the buffet car after a young woman ran through his carriage shouting: "Knife, knife, there's a man with a big knife."

Anthony Williams has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder over the mass stabbing.

During the incident, Mr Crean said he "got caught" by the knife on his fingers, head, torso and arm - and he will need plastic surgery.

The football fan, who had been returning home after watching Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Manchester United, said he had no chance to escape as the suspect approached.

He said he managed to get into a train toilet after the confrontation.

Speaking about his decision to fight back, Mr Crean said: "Probably not many people would've done it, but then you're leaving people behind you vulnerable."

Armed officers were deployed to Huntingdon station after being alerted to the attack at 7.42pm on Saturday.

They detained a man within eight minutes of the first 999 call.

Police reviewing three further incidents after attack

Williams, 32, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody on Monday when he appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court.

He has also been charged with one count of attempted murder over another attack hours earlier at a London station.

British Transport Police said a victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked at 12.46am with a knife on a train at Pontoon Dock station on the Docklands Light Railway.

And Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said police in Cambridgeshire were investigating whether the same man committed "further offences" earlier.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said they are reviewing the suspect's involvement in three further incidents, including the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.

These include at a barber in the Fletton area of Peterborough, which reported a man with a knife on Friday evening, and again on Saturday morning, when police were not able to locate the suspect.

A third incident "that police also believe may be linked" involved a 14-year-old who was stabbed on Friday evening by a man with a knife in the city centre, the statement added. The teenager suffered minor injuries.

The force has referred itself to the police watchdog.

British Transport Police will include the stabbing of the 14-year-old and the incident at the barber's shop as part of its investigation into the train attack.

Starmer praises 'heroic' driver

Sir Keir Starmer has commended the "heroic" driver and staff on board the Doncaster-London train, and told the Commons on Monday the "brave action" of those who responded "saved countless lives".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also said on Monday that there were 13 casualties, eight of whom remain in hospital.

Scunthorpe United have confirmed their defender Jonathan Gjoshe was among those hurt. He is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Railway worker's 'incredible bravery'

One of those seriously injured was a LNER staff member, who tried to protect passengers during the attack.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sky News the man, who has not been named, is now in a critical but stable condition.

She told the Mornings with Ridge and Frost programme: "He went in to do his job, and he left work a hero. And there are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery."

The train's driver has been commended for his quick thinking after diverting the locomotive to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, when passengers alerted him to the ongoing attack.

In a statement, Andrew Johnson, who is ex-Royal Navy and has been driving trains for almost 20 years, said: "As train drivers, we hold a lot of responsibility.

"We practise our emergency response and keep up to date with our knowledge of the route, so if needed, we know exactly where to stop and what to do.

"The action I took is the same as any other driver. I think my colleagues onboard were the real heroes and I'd like to pay tribute to their bravery."

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LNER's managing director David Horne said: "Andrew's actions are testament to the expertise and skills he has built over his career, both on the railway and in the military."

He added: "Our thoughts remain with our colleague in hospital."

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