Heroic Nottingham Forest fan ‘confronted knife maniac’ earlier than being stabbed in prepare assault
Alistair Day, 58, was travelling back from Nottingham Forest’s match against Manchester United when he missed his connection and boarded the 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross
A Nottingham Forest supporter attempted to tackle a knife-wielding attacker during Saturday’s horrific train stabbing that saw 10 people rushed to hospital. Police confirmed that two people were fighting for their lives.
Alistair Day, 58, from Hertford, was making his way home from Nottingham Forest’s clash with Manchester United when he missed his connection and caught the 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to London King’s Cross.
Positioned close to the buffet car, Mr Day witnessed passengers fleeing towards him and initially dismissed it as harmless fun.
He told the BBC: “I thought it was like a prank – Halloween or students. Then they’re getting louder and louder.”
But when he spotted blood on some of the fleeing passengers, Mr Day knew something was terribly wrong, reports the Express.
He and fellow travellers attempted to access the buffet car, but staff were pulling down the shutters.
Mr Day said he then stepped in, telling them: “No, you’ve got to let us in.”
Once inside, he spotted the attacker at the window brandishing his weapon.
A man dressed in a Nottingham Forest tracksuit then declared: “I’m going to go confront him”, Mr Day recalled.
The group attempted to dissuade him, with Mr Day explaining: “He wasn’t the biggest guy and we tried to stop him.”
Mr Day subsequently spotted the man on the platform at Huntingdon station, lying motionless and drenched in blood.
Another passenger in the buffet car, who had suffered a chest wound, kept his composure whilst others pressed down on the injury.
Mr Day said: “I just want to know he’s OK.”
The assault occurred shortly after the train departed from Peterborough station.
Two men were apprehended by the British Transport Police, and the inquiry is ongoing with assistance from counter-terrorism units, although it is not currently being classified as a terrorist incident.
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