The heroic train crew member who saved multiple passengers from a mass stabbing has woken up and spoken to his wife for the first time.
Samir Zitouni, known as Sam, was working onboard the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) 6.25pm train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross when a crazed knifeman launched a terrifying rampage.
Mr Zitouni is said to have used a frying pan from the buffet carriage kitchen to stop the attacker from reaching other passengers while armed police and medics were deployed to Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire, where the train made an unscheduled stop.
He was repeatedly stabbed and rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries last Saturday.
Mr Zitouni, one of 11 people who were treated in hospital, remains critically unwell but is stable. He was able to talk to his wife after regaining consciousness on Thursday.
Colleague Gemma Royce revealed the update on a GoFundMe page, which has so far raised more than £38,000 for Mr Zitouni and his family.
She wrote on Friday: ‘His wife has shared the wonderful news that Sam woke up briefly yesterday, and she was able to speak with him for a short time.
‘This is a truly positive step forward, though there is still a long journey ahead in his recovery.
Brave rail worker Samir Zitouni, 48, is understood to have grabbed a frying pan from the to battle the suspected knifeman so passengers could flee to safety
Mr Zitouni, who has worked for London North Eastern Railway (LNER) for more than 20 years, was one of 11 people injured during the mass stabbing on board the 6.25pm service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross last Saturday. Pictured: The suspect holding what appears to be a knife
A forensic officer inspects the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train after a mass stabbing
‘Thank you all for continuing to keep Sam and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Your kindness means the world to them.’
His wife, Eleni, said: ‘Sam is a kind and courageous person who believes deeply in humanity.
‘On November 1, Sam acted as a shield to protect the lives of others, risking not being able to return home to his beloved son.
‘This is who Sam is — he would do the same for anyone, regardless of colour, age, gender, religion or origin, even for those he does not know. Sam is our hero.’
David Horne, managing director at LNER, previously hailed Mr Zitouni’s bravery, saying: ‘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.’
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, was charged on Monday with 10 counts of attempted murder.
He also faces charges of possessing a bladed article and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Williams is also accused of carrying out an earlier knife attack on another train in east London at about 12.45am last Saturday. He is charged with a separate count of attempted murder and possessing a bladed article after a person suffered facial injuries at Pontoon Dock DLR station in Silvertown.
He was remanded in custody until a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
The suspect is understood to have boarded the 6.25 LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross at Peterborough before allegedly rampaging through the moving carriages.
Passengers ran through the vehicle, barricading themselves in toilets and behind the shutters of the onboard shop in the buffet car in a bid to protect themselves.
As the train pulled into Huntingdon, cool-headed railway staff ushered passengers hurriedly down the platform as the suspect followed closely behind.
The alleged attacker, still brandishing a knife, crossed the railway tracks and leapt over a fence before being subdued by police.
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, was charged on Monday with 10 counts of attempted murder
Sir Keir Starmer thanked the ‘heroic actions’ of train staff, including Mr Zitouni, who put themselves in harm’s way to save ‘countless lives’.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Mr Zitouni ‘went to work on Saturday morning and left a hero’.
‘I know the British Transport Police have reviewed CCTV footage from what happened and he literally put himself in harm’s way. There will be people who are alive today because of his actions.’
She added: ‘He went to work on Saturday morning to do his job and he left work a hero.’
His heroic actions were commended last night in the House of Lords by Lord Hanson of Flint, who called for his ‘tremendous bravery’ to be recognised.
Home Office minister Lord Hanson said Mr Zitouni was ‘the sort of person who would normally be serving tea or refreshments’.
But he has stepped up to the plate and put his own life at risk in taking really strong steps here,’ he told the House of Lords last night.
‘I think we should recognise that point that this is an act of tremendous bravery, and I wish him well.’
Meanwhile, a petition has been set up calling for Nottingham Forest fan and train passenger Stephen Crean to be honoured after he rushed to take on the alleged attacker with his bare hands.
Huntingdon stabbing victim Stephen Crean at his home in southwest London on Monday
Mr Crean, who was returning from watching Nottingham Forest draw 2-2 with Manchester United, said he heard the screams of injured passengers and walked through the buffet car to a carriage where he came face to face with the attacker.
Mr Crean recalled: ‘He had a great big oversized kitchen knife – it was as if it was a Japanese sword or something. He came towards me and said to me, ‘Do you want to die?”
He said he confronted the attacker to give another passenger time to close the buffet door behind him – allowing others to hide and potentially preventing dozens of injuries.
Mr Crean, who was subsequently locked in with the knifeman, was stabbed in his left hand, three times in his back, once on his bottom and twice in his head before he managed to find an empty toilet to hide in.
