Hero Passenger Confronts Train Knifeman, Calls 999: Court Hears

The harrowing moment a hero passenger called 999 after confronting a knifeman on a train has been played to jurors, who heard the alleged attacker ask: 'Do you want to die?' Football fan Stephen Crean bravely offered assurance to fellow travellers on an LNER service from Doncaster to London on November 1 last year, as Anthony Williams, 33, allegedly launched what prosecutors described as a 'rampage' onboard.

In a police interview played at Cambridge Crown Court, Mr. Crean recounted how he 'went for the knife to stop him [Williams] because he's on a mission.' Mr. Crean sustained multiple stab wounds to his head, upper and lower back, fingers, and hip during the 'one-sided' attack before the defendant moved towards the buffet car. He then sought shelter in a toilet and made a 999 call.

A visibly shaken Mr. Crean could be heard telling the operator, "I've locked the door. I need help. I'm scared." The operator confirmed that officers were en route to the station. Mr. Crean had reportedly "whispered to those in the café bar to shut the door and went towards the defendant." He had boarded the train at Grantham after witnessing a young girl screaming about a 'man with a big knife.'

Prosecutor Chris Paxton stated that Mr. Crean confronted Williams "with no knife, no weapon and looked, he says, the defendant in the eyes." Mr. Crean is expected to testify that Williams said, 'Do you want to die?' The 999 call also captured Mr. Crean telling the operator, "I'm on the train. I'm bleeding in the toilet." When asked about the location of his injuries, he responded, "All over – I mean, everywhere, head. Eyes, face, everywhere. I'm by myself, I'm covered in blood. I'm on my own. I've locked the door. I need help. I'm scared – frightened."

The court also heard how LNER worker Samir Zitouni attempted to stop Williams, who was allegedly marching through carriages with a knife and attacking passengers. Mr. Zitouni reportedly wielded a frying pan at Williams. Ten people were attacked on the train, with four more targeted in different locations prior to boarding. Williams, 33, has admitted to several offences, including attacking people with a knife with intent to cause serious harm, but denies 14 counts of attempted murder.

Jurors were told that Mr. Zitouni intervened to help car delivery driver Raza Aslam, who had been stabbed in the hand while trying to stop the attack. Mr. Aslam was among a group who attempted to confront Williams. After being stabbed, Mr. Aslam feared he was about to be killed when Mr. Zitouni intervened, using items including a frying pan and a toaster to create a 'defensive blockade'. Mr. Zitouni sustained severe injuries, including collapsed lungs and an injured spleen, requiring emergency treatment and a ventilator.

Mr. Aslam later told officers that Williams appeared to be deriving pleasure from the situation. "I saw his eyes expand with pleasure," he stated. "I saw the contempt on his face - like a person who's high. He was just loving every single moment - he loved seeing us in desperation."

Another passenger, David Presland, 73, recounted believing he was going to die when Williams approached him with the knife. Knocked to the floor, Mr. Presland was stabbed in the back. CCTV footage showed his hand appearing in a "pitiful and pleading fashion" as the attack continued. Mr. Presland suffered a broken rib and a punctured lung, telling police, "I thought I was going to die. I'm very lucky that I survived."

Prosecutor Chris Paxton highlighted instances of "extraordinary bravery," noting that despite the violence, many passengers helped each other. Kevin Deely shouted at Williams and threw an object at him before assisting Mr. Presland. Mr. Deely later realized he had also been stabbed, sustaining a lacerated liver from a nearly four-inch deep wound.

Scott Green was injured when he grabbed the knife in an attempt to defend himself, sustaining damage to muscles and tendons in his hand, as well as a wound to his back. Mr. Green's dog, Poppy, reportedly "started barking really aggressively and he's [the defendant] just done a runner." The court heard that the defendant had previously been bitten by a dog.

Mr. Green described the scene as "carnage" and recalled a woman who, by making a joke, "probably saved my life" by bundling him into a toilet.

James Tomlinson reportedly heard Williams say he had a knife and intended for everyone to die. Michael Paffett, who suffered a deep facial wound, was ordered by Williams to stay put after attempting to leave a carriage, which the prosecution suggested indicated Williams was "functioning, responding and reactive to those around him."

The trial is expected to determine whether Williams intended to kill the victims, as the prosecution contends. The alleged rampage began on October 31 last year with the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Peterborough, followed by attacks on two men. On November 1, a 17-year-old was stabbed in the face on the Docklands Light Railway in east London before Williams boarded the LNER train in Peterborough with a knife and fortified tonic wine. The ensuing attacks on the train lasted until the driver arranged an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon, where Williams was arrested by armed police using a taser.

Williams, appearing via videolink from Rampton Hospital, also admitted to punching a police officer while in custody. While acknowledging mental health issues may be relevant, the prosecution stated that the central issue is the defendant's intention to kill.

The trial continues.