Samir Zitouni, who stepped in to protect passengers, has ‘a significant recovery ahead’, says family

Samir Zitouni, 48, has been hailed a hero after he "did not hesitate" to protect those around him during a mass stabbing on a UK train. Photo / London North Eastern Railway

A hero railway worker seriously injured while protecting passengers during the Huntingdon train attack has returned home to his family.

Samir Zitouni, 48, was discharged from hospital yesterday, two weeks after the mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire on November 1 that left 11 injured.

Zitouni was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in a critical condition following the attack on the 6.25pm LNER service between Doncaster and King’s Cross in London.

His actions were described as “nothing short of heroic” by British Transport Police.

It is understood Zitouni, a member of the train’s catering crew, suffered a gash to his head and neck as he “blocked” the attacker from stabbing a girl.

His family said in a statement on Saturday (local time): “We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the public and very touched by all the kind words about Sam’s brave actions on the night of the attack.

“While we are really happy to have him home, he still has a significant recovery ahead and we would now like to be left in privacy to care for him as a family.”

David Horne, the managing director of LNER, where Zitouni has worked for 20 years, said: “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.”

Anthony Williams, 32, of no fixed abode, has been charged with several offences, including 11 counts of attempted murder, and has been remanded in custody.

The alleged victims of the 10 counts of attempted murder at Huntingdon railway station were named in court as Zitouni, Scott Bletcher, David Presland, Sachin Balakrishnan, Michael Paffett, Kevin Neely, Jonathan Gjoshe, Stephen Crean, Rasza Aslam, and Scott Green.

Williams is also charged with a separate count of attempted murder and possessing a bladed article at Pontoon Dock DLR station in Silvertown, east London, on the morning of the Huntingdon attack. A person suffered facial injuries during the incident.

Williams is due to appear in court next on December 1.

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