The court heard that ten men were stabbed during a five-minute burst of hand-to-hand violence aboard the Doncaster to King’s Cross service. Samir Zitouni suffered two punctured lungs and required a ventilator, blood transfusions, and chest drains after attempting to de-escalate the situation and fight off the assailant. Other passengers also faced severe harm, including 73-year-old David Presland, who was stabbed in the back before receiving aid from a bystander. Another victim, Scott Green, avoided further injury when his dog Poppy frightened the attacker away.
Key points
The ongoing trial at Cambridge Crown Court details widespread acts of passenger defense d…: The ongoing trial at Cambridge Crown Court details widespread acts of passenger defense during the violent assault.
CCTV evidence captured both the severe hand-to-hand combat and the chaotic evacuation of…: CCTV evidence captured both the severe hand-to-hand combat and the chaotic evacuation of blood-soaked passengers onto the platform.
Interventions by train staff, fellow travelers, and even a passenger's pet dog prevented…: Interventions by train staff, fellow travelers, and even a passenger's pet dog prevented further injuries during the mass stabbing.
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- Published
CCTV footage of a member of train staff using a frying pan against a man accused of attempting to murder 10 passengers, has been shown in court.
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Samir Zitouni showed "sheer courage and bravery in seeking to save lives and defend others," during the mass stabbing on the Doncaster to King's Cross train.
Jurors at Cambridge Crown Court saw footage of Zitouni using the frying pan against, Anthony Williams, before the train made an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon railway station on November 1 last year.
Williams, 33, of Langford Road in Peterborough, denies 14 counts of attempted murder which includes incidents in Peterborough and London the day before.
On the second day of the trial, prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC told jurors how passengers had "stood tall against the defendant's onslaught".
Paxton who also outlined attacks on nine other people on the train, said the attack on Zitouni was "prolonged, persistent and brutal".
Despite being left in a life-threatening condition he told the defendant "we love you, we can help you".
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