On a chilly Saturday evening, November 2, 2025, passengers aboard the Doncaster-to-London King's Cross train found themselves at the epicenter of a nightmare: a mass stabbing that left 11 people injured and the nation in shock. Yet amid the chaos and terror, a story of extraordinary courage emerged—one that has since reverberated across the United Kingdom and beyond.
The hero at the heart of this drama is Samir Zitouni, a 48-year-old British rail worker of Algerian descent who has spent more than two decades serving London North Eastern Railway (LNER). According to British Transport Police and multiple media reports, Zitouni did not hesitate when a man armed with a knife began attacking passengers as the train sped through Peterborough. Witnesses say Zitouni stepped in to shield a young girl, quite literally putting himself between her and the attacker. In the process, he suffered deep wounds to his neck and face—injuries so severe that, as of November 5, he remains in hospital, stable but critically unwell.
But it wasn't just Zitouni's willingness to confront danger that stunned the public; it was how he did it. As revealed by The Daily Mail, Zitouni grabbed a frying pan from the train's galley kitchen and used it to fend off the knifeman, giving passengers precious moments to flee to safety. "He has stepped up to the plate and put his own life at risk in taking really strong steps here," Home Office minister Lord Hanson told the House of Lords, calling for Zitouni's "tremendous bravery" to be formally recognized. Lord Hanson added, "This is an act of tremendous bravery, and I wish him well."
Ray Zarb, Zitouni's neighbor, described him as a "very cool customer" and "a fit guy." Zarb told Good Morning Britain, "It doesn't surprise me, really, when you think about it. But knowing it, hearing it, and finding out it's him, is absolutely incredible."
The sense of pride and gratitude surrounding Zitouni's actions was echoed by his employer and family. David Horne, managing director of LNER, praised his employee's heroism, 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."
In a heartfelt statement, Zitouni's family wrote, "We have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and kindness shown to Sam, and by the many well wishes for his recovery. The care provided by the hospital and the support from his colleagues at LNER has been incredible. 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."
As emergency services rushed to the scene, ten people were transported to Addenbrooke's Hospital, with one more treated later. Six have since been discharged, while four remain in stable condition. The attacker, identified as Anthony Williams, a 32-year-old British-born man from Peterborough, was apprehended and charged with ten counts of attempted murder related to the train attack, as well as additional charges linked to a separate stabbing incident in London earlier that day. Williams was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
The drama on the train was not limited to Zitouni's bravery. Another passenger, Nottingham Forest fan Stephen Crean, also confronted the attacker with his bare hands, sustaining multiple stab wounds before managing to escape to safety. A petition has since been launched calling for Crean to be honored for his actions. Meanwhile, train driver Andrew Johnson played a crucial role by overriding safety alarms and liaising with signallers to divert the train to Huntingdon, allowing emergency responders to board and assist the wounded.
Senior political figures joined the chorus of praise. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer thanked the "heroic actions" of train staff, including Zitouni, for saving "countless lives." Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander remarked, "He went to work on Saturday morning to do his job and he left work a hero. There will be people who are alive today because of his actions."
But even as the nation celebrated Zitouni's heroism, the incident reignited debate over inflammatory rhetoric about Muslims and immigrants in the UK. Before police confirmed the attacker's identity, several right-wing and far-right commentators were quick to speculate that the perpetrator was a Muslim migrant. These claims unraveled when it emerged that the attacker was British-born and not Muslim, while the person who risked his life to save others was a Muslim of Algerian heritage. Social media users were swift to call out the hypocrisy, with one post reading, "Hero of Huntingdon train stabbing Samir Zitouni—immigrant, Muslim & non-English name. Everything the 'we want our country back' brigade hate & want to deport."
Others noted how the media often highlights the ethnicity or religion of suspects when they are Muslim, but omitted such details when the hero was a Muslim himself. The Centre for Media Monitoring commented, "GB News never misses a chance to highlight someone’s #Muslim or ethnic background when reporting on crime. Yet when Algerian-born Muslim Samir Zitouni saves lives on a Huntingdon train, those same details suddenly vanish."
As forensic teams continued to examine the scene at Huntingdon Station and police investigated possible links to other stabbing incidents in the area, the focus for many remained on the acts of everyday heroism that can arise in the most unlikely circumstances. LNER has pledged to provide "all possible support" to Zitouni's family and colleagues in the weeks ahead, while the public outpouring of support shows no sign of abating.
The events of November 2 have left scars—both physical and emotional—on those aboard the train. Yet the actions of Samir Zitouni and others have given the nation a powerful reminder of the courage and selflessness found in people from all walks of life. As Zitouni continues his recovery, his story stands as a testament to the best of British values: bravery, compassion, and unity in the face of adversity.
