In the early hours of November 1, 2025, London’s Docklands Light Railway became the setting for a shocking act of violence that would, hours later, spill over to a packed intercity train, leaving eleven people injured and a nation reeling. The attacks, which authorities say were carried out by 32-year-old Anthony Williams, have thrown a spotlight on public safety, the quick-thinking actions of both ordinary citizens and railway staff, and the resilience of those affected.
The first incident unfolded at 00:46 a.m. when Isaiah Ishmael Idris, a 17-year-old sixth-form student and nephew of Hollywood actor Damson Idris, was slashed across the face while traveling on the DLR. According to the British Transport Police, Isaiah staggered off the train at Pontoon Dock station in east London and managed to call emergency services. The actor’s family, grappling with the trauma, has largely kept silent. However, Habeeb Idris, another uncle, confirmed to Metro, “I am aware that Isaiah was involved in the incident on a train, but we are dealing with this privately as a family.”
But the day’s violence was far from over. Roughly sixteen hours later, Williams allegedly boarded the 6:25 p.m. LNER train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross at Peterborough. What began as an ordinary Saturday evening journey quickly turned into chaos. Witnesses described the moment panic erupted: just five minutes after leaving Peterborough, screams of “knife, knife” rang out, and passengers began fleeing down the carriages. Amira Ostalski, a Nottingham University student, recounted to the BBC how she and her friend ran to the rear of the train, while YouTuber Olly Foster initially mistook the panic for a Halloween prank—until he saw blood covering a seat.
In the confusion, the train’s cafe bar became an impromptu sanctuary. “We were trying to close up the shutters,” said passenger Alistair Day, who, along with others, huddled inside as the attacker tried to force his way in. Another passenger, Matt Kingston, helped a young man who’d been stabbed in the chest, applying pressure to the wound as they waited for help.
Among the injured was Jonathan Gjoshe, a footballer for Scunthorpe United. The club confirmed in a statement, “Jonathan sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the attack, but currently remains in hospital.” After surgery on November 4, Gjoshe was discharged two days later and is expected to make a full recovery. “I would like to thank the staff, the players and everyone who sent their well wishes, and to all the fans and everybody who has contributed towards the fundraising. I really appreciate everything. From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Gjoshe said, as reported by talkSPORT. A fundraiser set up by supporters raised £3,500 to help cover his care and recovery costs.
Perhaps the most harrowing account came from Stephen Crean, a Nottingham Forest season ticket holder who intervened to protect a 19-year-old woman. Crean suffered stab wounds to his hand, back, and head during the altercation. “He’s gone for me and there was a tussle in the arms and that’s where my hand, the fingers are really bad, four cuts through them, sliced. And then he raised it and must have caught me when I was ducking and diving and caught me on the head,” Crean told the BBC. His bravery did not go unnoticed: a fundraiser for Crean has since raised over £50,000, with Nottingham Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis pledging that any fan involved would receive financial support for their medical care. “The courage and selflessness shown by our supporters on that train represents the very best of humanity and the very best of our club’s community,” Marinakis said in a statement.
As the violence unfolded, the train’s driver, Andrew Johnson—a former Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy—played a pivotal role. Upon hearing the alarm, Johnson contacted the control center and diverted the 125mph train onto a slower track, stopping at Huntingdon Station. Emergency services were already mobilizing, and the train arrived at 19:41, just minutes after the first distress calls were made. According to the BBC, British Transport Police credited an LNER staff member, who remains in critical but stable condition, with saving lives by attempting to stop the attacker.
Passengers poured onto the platform, some covered in blood, others desperately seeking safety. CCTV footage captured the chaos as people fled, and a TikTok video showed police sprinting toward the train. In the car park, the suspect was spotted climbing a fence, still clutching the knife. Amira Ostalski and her friend, fearing for their lives, hid in a taxi before witnessing the dramatic arrest. Police, some armed with Tasers and accompanied by a dog, subdued Williams near a row of bins at approximately 19:50. A second man was detained but released the next day after police determined he was not involved.
Williams was charged with ten counts of attempted murder for the train stabbings and one additional count for the earlier attack on Isaiah Idris. He also faces charges of possessing a kitchen knife and actual bodily harm against a police officer. He appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on November 4 and is due in Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
In total, eleven people were hospitalized following the train attack, with one still in a stable but critical condition. Six have since been discharged, and the youngest victim remains Isaiah Idris, who was attacked hours before the mass stabbing on the LNER train. The charges against Williams also include the attempted murder of a 14-year-old boy.
The events of November 1 have left a deep mark on the victims, their families, and the wider community. Yet amid the horror, stories of courage, compassion, and solidarity have shone through. From the quick thinking of railway staff and emergency responders to the selfless actions of ordinary passengers, the response to the attacks has been a testament to the resilience of those caught up in the tragedy.
As the legal process unfolds and the victims begin their long road to recovery, the question of how to prevent such violence on public transport remains. For now, the focus remains on supporting those affected and recognizing the bravery shown by so many on that fateful day.
