In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom, two men are being hailed as heroes for their extraordinary bravery during a stabbing attack on a packed train traveling from Doncaster to London on November 1, 2025. The attack, one of the most significant stabbings in recent British history, left ten people wounded and has spurred calls for the nation’s highest civilian honor to be awarded to those who risked their lives to protect others.
According to BBC and corroborated by eyewitness accounts reported by NottinghamLive and The Telegraph, the violence erupted when a man wielding a large knife began attacking passengers aboard the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service. The chaos that ensued was described by witnesses as “blood everywhere,” as terrified passengers ran for their lives, seeking refuge in the buffet car and toilets, locking the doors behind them in a desperate bid for safety.
Amid the panic, Samir Zitouni, an LNER worker on duty that day, and Stephen Crean, a 61-year-old football fan returning home after watching Nottingham Forest play Manchester United, stood out for their courageous actions. Mr. Zitouni, despite the clear danger, intervened in an attempt to protect passengers and was critically injured in the process. Stephen Crean, with nothing but his fists, confronted the attacker directly. He later recounted to BBC and The Telegraph how he faced the knifeman as others fled: “All of a sudden the door of the carriage opened, people ran past me and they were shouting: 'Run, run, run, man's got knife.' So I let these people run past me, families, women, young lads. Finally they had all packed into the buffet car and the toilets and locked the doors, as you do, and so that was it for me.”
Crean described the fateful moment he came face to face with the attacker: “He was on a mission. He knew what he wanted to do and he was going to do it. All of a sudden, this knife comes out, and I went straight for him. I tried to punch him. I was trying to hold his arm, but he caught me on the top of the head.” The attacker, before stabbing Crean, chillingly asked, “Do you want to die?” Crean sustained stab wounds to his hand, back, and head. The severity of his injuries was such that he was unable to follow through with plans to travel to Austria to support Nottingham Forest in the Europa League just days later.
The actions of Zitouni and Crean did not go unnoticed. Pippa Heylings, South Cambridgeshire’s Liberal Democrat MP, was quick to submit an Early Day Motion to Parliament, calling for both men to be awarded the George Cross—the highest civilian honor for bravery in the United Kingdom. The motion was supported by fellow Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat MPs Charlotte Cane and Ian Sollom, as well as party leader Ed Davey. In a joint statement, the MPs lauded the two men: “The bravery shown by Samir Zitouni and Stephen Crean undoubtedly saved lives. Their bravery and disregard for their own safety in putting others first represents the very best of Britain. Mr Zitouni placed himself in harm's way to protect passengers, sustaining serious injuries in the process, while Mr Crean confronted the attacker to give others time to reach safety. Both men's actions were nothing short of heroic, and they deserve the highest recognition our country can give.”
While the Early Day Motion is a parliamentary tool to draw attention to issues and can prompt debate in the House of Commons, it does not in itself have the power to grant honors. The process for awarding the George Cross involves a recommendation from the George Cross Committee, which is then submitted through the Prime Minister to King Charles III for approval. Nonetheless, the motion has intensified public and political pressure to formally recognize the two men’s heroism.
The MPs also extended their gratitude to the train driver, emergency services, and the staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, who provided critical care and support to the wounded. “We would also like to pay tribute to the response of the train driver, emergency services, and the incredible staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital, who continued Samir's and Stephen's example of selflessness and care to ensure the safety and recovery of all those affected,” their statement continued.
The alleged attacker, identified as Anthony Williams, 32, of no fixed abode, was swiftly apprehended by authorities. Williams faces a litany of charges: ten counts of attempted murder connected to the train stabbing, one count of actual bodily harm, and possession of a bladed article. Additionally, he is charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in relation to a separate incident at Pontoon Dock DLR station in London on the same day. Williams appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court and is scheduled to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1, 2025, according to BBC and British Transport Police.
The aftermath of the attack has also sparked controversy beyond the criminal investigation. Stephen Crean, who had been planning to fly to Austria to support his beloved Nottingham Forest, found himself unable to travel due to his injuries. When he requested a refund for his Ryanair flight, the airline refused, citing their non-refundable fare policy and suggesting that Crean should have taken out travel insurance. In a statement to NottinghamLive, Ryanair said: “All Ryanair air fares are non-refundable, which is why we strongly recommend passengers take out travel insurance in order to protect themselves if they can’t travel.” The response from the airline ignited outrage among Nottingham Forest supporters, who have since called for a boycott of Ryanair in solidarity with Crean.
As the legal process unfolds and the nation reflects on the events of that Saturday, the courage displayed by Samir Zitouni and Stephen Crean continues to resonate. Their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of others has become a rallying point for those who believe that such bravery deserves the highest recognition. The coming weeks will reveal whether the George Cross Committee and the government will heed the calls from Parliament and the public to honor these men in a manner befitting their sacrifice.
For now, the story of the Doncaster to London train attack stands as a powerful reminder of the capacity for ordinary individuals to act with extraordinary courage in the face of terror.
