• LNER name heroic train worker who tackled a knifeman on a London-bound train as Samir “Sam” Zitouni.
• “In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him,” the operator said.
• Mr Zitouni’s family say they are “deeply touched by the outpouring of love and kindness” shown to Mr Zitouni, who remains in a critical condition in hospital.
The train worker who bravely tackled a knifeman who went on the rampage on a London-bound train has been named and pictured.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) paid tribute to Mr Zitouni’s extraordinary bravery in a statement released on Tuesday.
“In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him,” the operator said.
Mr Zitouni is a customer experience host who has worked for LNER for more than 20 years.
Samir Zitouni, who is 48 and known to many as Sam
Supplied by LNER
British Transport Police described his response as “nothing short of heroic,” crediting him with saving multiple lives.
His family has shared a message in response to the overwhelming support they are said to have received.
“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.”
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, 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.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Monday: “On Saturday, he went to work to do his job – today, he is a hero, and forever will be.”
The LNER staff member is in a critical but stable condition in hospital following the stabbings on the high-speed service.
There were 13 casualties in total, eight of whom remain in hospital, Ms Mahmood said.
He is also charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article.
He allegedly used a “large kitchen knife” in both attacks, according to court documents.
Police are investigating whether the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy and two reports of a knifeman seen at a barbers in Peterborough are linked to the knife attacks on the train.
Cambridgeshire police said that the teenager was non-fatally injured at 7.10pm on Friday, before a man with a knife was seen at a barbers in Fletton 15 minutes later, although this was only reported to police two hours later.
A second report of a knifeman was made at 9.25am the following morning when he was still at the scene, but when police arrived 18 minutes later they could not find him.
