Huntingdon practice stabbings hero employees member ‘wakes up’ in hospital after saving passengers

A train crew member seriously injured while protecting passengers during a mass stabbing in Huntingdon “woke up briefly” in hospital and spoke to his wife. Samir Zitouni, known as Sam, was working on board the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train from Doncaster to London when the attack happened in Cambridgeshire on November 1.

LNER said Zitouni, who has worked for the firm for more than 20 years, has been credited with helping to save multiple lives after passengers came under threat.

A GoFundMe page for Mr Zitouni has raised nearly £55,000. A message posted by organiser Gemma Royce on Friday stated: “Sam’s family continue to be deeply grateful for all of your kind messages, generosity, and support.

“His wife has shared the wonderful news that Sam woke up briefly yesterday, and she was able to speak with him for a short time. This is a truly positive step forward, though there is still a long journey ahead in his recovery.

“Thank you all for continuing to keep Sam and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Your kindness means the world to them.”

Mr Zitouni’s role is customer experience host, which largely involves providing onboard catering.

The attack is understood to have started shortly after the train left Peterborough station.

Passengers pulled the emergency alarms on the LNER service.

Train driver Andrew Johnson, who served in the Royal Navy for 17 years, contacted a signaller and requested an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station.

Last week, British Transport Police (BTP) said Mr Zitouni was in a stable condition but critically unwell at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

He was among 11 patients treated at the hospital for injuries sustained during the attack.

Anthony Williams, 32, was remanded into custody at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on November 3 charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over the incident.

BTP gave Williams’s address as Langford Road, Peterborough.

He was remanded into custody to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.

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