Khaberni - Samir Zeitouni, originally Algerian and a railway worker, turned into a hero in Britain after saving the lives of dozens of passengers during a horrific mass stabbing attack that took place on Saturday evening on a train from Doncaster to London.
Zeitouni, who is 48 years old, confronted the attacker who began randomly stabbing passengers, placing himself in harm's way to protect a little girl and several travelers, which resulted in him sustaining serious injuries to the head and neck.
The British Transport Police confirmed that his condition is critical but stable, noting that his actions were "heroic by all measures" and that they saved many lives.
David Horne, the managing director of the train operator LNER, said in an official statement: "Samir did not hesitate for a moment to protect those around him.. His action was very brave, and we are proud of him and all our colleagues who showed exceptional courage that night."
He added that the company continues to support Samir's family and wishes him a full and quick recovery, affirming that he is among the longtime employees who have served over twenty years with dedication.
British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander praised his bravery, saying in an interview with "BBC": "The courage Samir showed was truly amazing.. There are people alive today who would not have been had it not been for his actions."
The attack occurred onboard the train heading to Kings Cross station in London at 18:25 on Saturday evening GMT, injuring eleven people, ten of whom were taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridgeshire, while six left the hospital later after receiving treatment, and four others remain in stable condition.
The police announced that Anthony Williams (32 years old), from Peterborough, was charged with ten counts of attempted murder related to the attack, in addition to other charges related to separate stabbing incidents in different areas hours before the incident.
The British Transport Police confirmed after reviewing surveillance footage that what Samir Zeitouni did "can only be described as heroic," and that he was among the first to confront the attacker, thus preventing an even bigger massacre on board the train.
