Huntingdon train stabbing victim 'didn't have much choice' but to fight back

A victim of the Cambridgeshire train stabbings has spoken of the injuries he suffered as the prime minister hailed the bravery of those on board during the incident on Saturday night.

Stephen Crean said he "didn't have much choice" but to fight back as the knifeman approached him.

The 61-year-old said passengers ran into the buffet car after a young woman ran through his carriage shouting: "Knife, knife, there's a man with a big knife."

During the incident, Mr Crean said he "got caught" by the knife on his fingers, head, torso and arm, and will need plastic surgery.

The football fan, who had been returning home after watching Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Manchester United, said he had no chance to escape as the suspect approached.

He said he managed to get into a train toilet after the confrontation.

Speaking about his decision to fight back, Mr Crean said: "Probably not many people would've done it, but then you're leaving people behind you vulnerable."

On being described as a hero, he said: "It's lovely that people are saying nice things about me."

Armed officers were deployed to Huntingdon station after being alerted to the attack at 7.42pm on Saturday.

They detained a man within eight minutes of the first 999 call.

Read more: Police reviewing three further incidents after train attack

Earlier, Sir Keir Starmer commended the "heroic" driver and staff and told the House of Commons on Monday the "brave action" of those who responded to the attack "saved countless lives".

The prime minister told the Commons: "I want to put on record in this House my own tribute to the police, the first responders, and in particular, to the heroic actions of both the driver and members of staff on board the Doncaster to London train, where such a vile and horrific attack took place this weekend."

"We all share in the revulsion of this shocking incident, but there's no doubt that their collective action, their brave action, saved countless lives, and I know the whole country is grateful for that," he continued.

His comments came as more details emerged about some of the people injured in the mass stabbing.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Monday that there were 13 casualties, eight of whom remain in hospital.

Scunthorpe United have confirmed their defender Jonathan Gjoshe was among those hurt. He is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Railway worker's 'incredible bravery'

One of those seriously injured was a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) staff member, who tried to protect passengers during the attack.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sky News the man, who has not been named, is now in a critical but stable condition.

She told the Mornings with Ridge and Frost programme: "He went in to do his job, and he left work a hero. And there are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery."

The train's driver has been commended for his quick thinking after diverting the locomotive to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, when passengers alerted him to the ongoing attack.

In a statement, Andrew Johnson, who is ex-Royal Navy and has been driving trains for almost 20 years, said: "As train drivers, we hold a lot of responsibility.

"We practise our emergency response and keep up to date with our knowledge of the route, so if needed, we know exactly where to stop and what to do.

"The action I took is the same as any other driver. I think my colleagues onboard were the real heroes and I'd like to pay tribute to their bravery."

LNER's managing director David Horne said: "Andrew's actions are testament to the expertise and skills he has built over his career, both on the railway and in the military."

He added: "Our thoughts remain with our colleague in hospital."

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Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over the mass stabbing, and one count of attempted murder over another attack hours earlier at a London station.

(c) Sky News 2025: Huntingdon train stabbing victim 'didn't have much choice' but to fight back