Raza Aslam, 44, was one of eleven people treated in hospital following a mass stabbing on a London-bound LNER train on November 1 last year. The incident, which occurred on the 6:25 p.m. service from Doncaster, was diverted to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Aslam, a delivery driver from London, has stated that he stepped in front of other passengers to shield them from the knifeman. This action resulted in a knife injury to his left arm that severed his radial nerve. He has been unable to return to his job due to the limited use of his arm and also suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and nightmares.
Anthony Williams, 33, of Peterborough, has denied 10 counts of attempted murder, including one against Aslam, and 11 other offenses. His trial is scheduled for October 26.
Recounting the incident, Aslam said, "Everyone was panicking – it was a horrible situation. The thought of women and children being attacked was unbearable to me. I decided I wasn't going to let that happen. I was prepared to die." He was on the train to Stevenage as part of his job delivering cars.
After the train made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon, Aslam was taken to the hospital for treatment. A week later, he underwent surgery to reconnect his nerves, but doctors have indicated that he is unlikely to regain full use of his left arm and hand, with recovery potentially taking years.
Aslam has not worked for eight months, stating, "The pressures of my life are getting really difficult." His daughter, Maryam, established a GoFundMe page to support his recovery. The funds are intended for private medical treatment, including EMDR therapy for PTSD, as well as to help with daily living costs and his children's higher education.
Maryam Aslam described her father's struggles since the attack, noting severe PTSD, anxiety, and depression, along with nightmares and flashbacks. She mentioned that he had been invited to meet the King for his bravery but could not attend due to his ongoing recovery and the court case. "He's never wanted recognition – he just did what he felt was right," she stated.
Williams pleaded not guilty to ten counts of attempted murder and 11 other charges, which include offenses alleged to have occurred on the two days prior and the day after the train incident. These additional charges involve incidents in London and Peterborough, including attempted murder and possession of bladed articles. He is currently held at Rampton Secure Hospital. His trial is expected to last between six and eight weeks, with a further case management hearing scheduled for October 2.