In the span of just over a week, two disturbing attacks on trains—one in England and another in New York City—have left passengers shaken, communities rallying in support, and authorities scrambling for answers. These incidents, while separated by an ocean and thousands of miles, share haunting similarities: both involved seemingly random violence, both left victims with serious hand injuries, and both have ignited conversations about safety on public transit.
On November 1, 2025, Stephen Crean, a 61-year-old Nottingham Forest supporter, was making his way home from his team’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United. The journey, meant to be a routine trip down the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) line from Doncaster to London, took a horrifying turn. As reported by BBC, a mass stabbing erupted on the train, sending panic through the carriages and leaving eleven people hospitalized.
Crean, a Wimbledon resident and veteran football fan of 50 years, found himself in the thick of the chaos. Instead of fleeing, he intervened, attempting to disarm the attacker. In doing so, he suffered deep wounds to his left hand—injuries that would have long-term consequences. “I could feel the knife twist and turn in my hand,” Crean recounted to BBC. “Even though the cuts might be deep at the back, it’s the hand. I can feel it especially at nighttime, it’s a nightmare.”
Despite undergoing surgery on his arm and fingers, doctors have told Crean that, at best, he may regain only 75% use of his left hand. For a man who works at a printers and is left-handed, the prognosis is daunting. “I will get better. I know [my hand] won’t be 100%, but it will get better,” Crean said, his optimism refusing to be dampened by the ordeal. He’s currently unable to work and is focusing on his recovery at home, taking things “day by day.”
The attack sent shockwaves through the UK, not least because of the scale—eleven people were hospitalized—and the apparent randomness of the violence. Police, summoned by frantic passengers, boarded the train in Huntingdon. The suspect, 32-year-old Anthony Williams, has since been charged with eleven counts of attempted murder, two counts of possessing a bladed article, and one count of actual bodily harm. One of the attempted murder charges stems from a separate incident, underscoring the severity of the threat he posed.
Crean’s bravery did not go unnoticed. A 19-year-old student named Astrid, who was on the train at the time, described him as a “hero” in an interview with BBC. The train’s driver, Andrew Johnson—a former Royal Navy officer—was also praised for his quick thinking in diverting the train, while crew member Samir Zitouni was credited with saving lives despite sustaining serious injuries himself.
For Crean, the emotional aftermath has been as challenging as the physical. “I was in absolute bits because I don’t want anyone, especially my family, to see me like this,” he shared. Still, he chooses to focus on the positives: “I came out alive with a few cuts, bruises, scars, whatever—I will take that at the end of the day. I will take it because it could have been a lot worse.”
In the days following the attack, an online fundraiser was launched to support Crean during his recovery. The response was overwhelming: more than £62,000 poured in, including a £10,000 donation from Nottingham Forest, the club he has supported for decades. On November 9, as Crean returned to the City Ground to watch Forest’s 3-1 victory over Leeds United, he received a standing ovation from fans and heartfelt praise from club owner Evangelos Marinakis and head coach Sean Dyche. “It meant the world to me. I could see people clapping, applauding and I just thank them so much,” Crean told BBC. “I would have been happy with a few quid to go down the pub. I didn’t expect anything.”
But even as the UK was reeling from this attack, a chillingly similar incident unfolded in New York City. On November 9, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a 14-year-old boy was slashed in the left hand aboard a northbound 4 train in the Bronx, as the train pulled into the Jerome Avenue and West 183rd Street station. According to Shore News Network, the assailant—a man described as about 40 years old, with a slim build, dark complexion, and black hair, wearing a brown jacket and tan pants—remained on the train as the injured teen exited.
Unlike Crean, the young victim declined medical treatment at the scene, despite suffering a laceration from a sharp object. The weapon has yet to be recovered, and police are still working to identify and apprehend the suspect. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, but as of now, the motive for the attack remains unclear. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline, emphasizing that the investigation remains active.
These two attacks—one in the heart of England and one in the bustling boroughs of New York—have reignited concerns about safety on public transportation. While violent crime on trains and subways is statistically rare, the randomness and brutality of these incidents have left riders on edge. Both cases have seen communities band together: in the UK, the outpouring of support for Crean has been a testament to the solidarity of football fans and the wider public; in New York, police are relying on the public’s help to bring the perpetrator to justice.
For Stephen Crean, the road to recovery will be long and uncertain. He’s found solace in speaking about his experience, calling it a kind of “cure” as he processes the trauma. The most emotional moment for him, he says, was reuniting with his family after the attack. “I don’t want to think about what might have been. I just think on the plus side,” he reflected. His story is one of resilience, courage, and the power of community in the face of senseless violence.
Meanwhile, the Bronx teenager’s ordeal serves as a sobering reminder that public spaces, even those as familiar as a city subway, can become sites of sudden danger. The NYPD’s ongoing investigation is a testament to the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, and it’s a call to action for anyone who might have information to come forward.
As both cities grapple with the aftermath, the hope is that these stories—marked by both tragedy and heroism—will lead to renewed efforts to ensure the safety of all who rely on public transportation, and to support those whose lives have been irrevocably changed by violence.