On a chilly Saturday evening, November 2, 2025, the usually routine journey of a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) high-speed train from Doncaster to London King's Cross was violently interrupted by a mass stabbing that left the United Kingdom in shock. The attack, which began just after the train departed Peterborough at 7:30 pm, resulted in eleven passengers being hospitalized and a rail worker hailed as a hero for his courageous intervention.
According to China Daily Global and CNN, the man accused of the attack, 32-year-old Anthony Williams from Peterborough, was swiftly apprehended by authorities and charged with ten counts of attempted murder. Williams, who gave his address as "no fixed abode" in court, faces further charges, including another count of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with a separate incident earlier the same day at Pontoon Dock Station in London. Police are also investigating three additional knife-related incidents in Peterborough that took place on Friday evening and Saturday morning, believed to be linked to Williams.
The attack unfolded rapidly and chaotically. Witnesses described scenes of panic as families and football supporters, among others, scrambled for safety. Passenger Wren Chambers recounted to the BBC that she "heard some screaming and shouting" from a carriage or two away before seeing a man running down the train with a "very clear wound," bleeding heavily from his arm. As more people rushed past, Chambers grabbed her belongings and moved further down the train, away from the commotion. Others, desperate to escape the violence, barricaded themselves in train restrooms or grabbed whatever they could find to defend themselves. Blood-stained seats bore silent witness to the horror that had unfolded.
Amid the chaos, two individuals stood out for their bravery: the train driver and a rail worker. The driver, Andrew Johnson, a veteran with 17 years of service in the Royal Navy—including deployment to Iraq—acted with remarkable composure. He made the quick decision to bring the train to an emergency stop at Huntingdon, near Cambridge, at 7:44 pm. Dean McFarlane, a London Underground station supervisor who spoke to Johnson shortly after the incident, told China Daily Global, "The emergency alarm had been pulled and people were banging on the door saying passengers were being attacked. It was 100 percent the right thing. If he had stopped in the middle of nowhere, the attack would have continued. There would be no way to escape or anyone to help. He is a hero." Aslef union official Nigel Roebuck echoed this sentiment, praising Johnson for drawing on his "knowledge and calmness to make calculated decisions to get the train to a place it could be easily accessed."
But perhaps the most selfless act came from Samir Zitouni, a 48-year-old LNER staff member who has worked for the train company for over two decades as a customer experience host. According to British Transport Police (BTP), Zitouni "tried to stop the attacker," confronting him for a sustained period and preventing further harm to passengers. Zitouni was critically injured and remains in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, but his actions are credited with saving many lives. In a statement, Zitouni’s family said, "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."
The British Transport Police reviewed CCTV footage from the train and confirmed Zitouni’s heroism. Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy stated, "(Their) actions…were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people's lives." UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Times Radio, "I know that the British Transport Police have reviewed CCTV footage from what happened on the train and he literally put himself in harm's way and so there will be people who are alive today because of his actions."
As the attack unfolded, Cambridgeshire police received their first emergency call at approximately 7:39 pm. Within about 11 minutes, armed officers arrived at Huntingdon station, where the train had come to a halt. Passengers were evacuated, and two suspects were initially detained. However, only Williams was charged, with the second man later released and cleared of involvement. Medical equipment and debris were left scattered on the platform, a stark reminder of the violence that had just occurred.
Among the victims was Jonathan Gjoshe, a player for Scunthorpe United, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, as confirmed by his soccer club. Details about the other victims remain scarce, but eyewitnesses described people suffering from stab wounds and heavy bleeding. Of the eleven hospitalized, four remained in care as of Tuesday evening, with Zitouni still in critical but stable condition.
Authorities have so far found no evidence to suggest that the attack was terror-related. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that Williams was not known to security services, counter-terror police, or the Home Office’s Prevent program, a central component of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy. Mahmood expressed her condolences, stating she was "deeply saddened to hear about the stabbings," and praised the emergency services for their swift response.
The incident has reignited discussions about knife crime in the UK. While mass casualty events are rare and the country’s homicide rates remain low compared to other Western nations, knife crime has been on the rise. According to data from the Office of National Statistics, there were 51,527 knife crime offenses recorded in England and Wales in the 12 months leading up to June 2025, with 15,689 occurring in London alone. Gun crime, by contrast, remains relatively low.
The East Coast Main Line, on which the attack occurred, is one of the UK’s busiest and most important railway routes, connecting London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverly. The attack’s location and timing—on a packed evening train—have heightened public concern and drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and the royal family alike. Labour leader Keir Starmer wrote on X, "My thoughts are with all those affected, and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response. Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the police." King Charles, in a statement released by Buckingham Palace, said, "My wife and I were truly appalled and shocked to hear of the dreadful knife attack that took place on board a train in Cambridgeshire last night. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with all those affected, and their loved ones. We are particularly grateful to the emergency services for their response to this awful incident."
As the investigation continues, Williams remains in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for December 1, 2025. Police are still working to determine a motive and to establish any links between the various incidents under investigation. For now, the nation grapples with the aftermath of a rare but devastating act of violence, and many are left reflecting on the bravery of those who acted selflessly in the face of danger.
In the wake of such tragedy, it’s the actions of ordinary people—rail workers, drivers, and passengers—that stand as a testament to courage and community in times of crisis.