A 32-year-old man has been charged with ten counts of attempted murder following the Huntingdon train attack.
Anthony Williams, 32, of Peterborough, is also charged with one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possessing a bladed article following the attack on Saturday night.
Williams has also been charged with another count of attempted murder and a further count of possessing a bladed article in connection with an incident in London.
The second incident is said to have unfolded at Pontoon Dock station on the capital’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) hours beforehand on the same day.
It is understood a victim is alleged to have suffered a facial injury in that incident.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said: ‘The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority for British Transport Police. Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences.
‘Following the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service I would stress the importance of not saying or publishing anything which might jeopardise or prejudice ongoing criminal proceedings, or the integrity of the investigation.’
Saturday’s attack unfolded on the 6.25 LNER service from Doncaster to London‘s Kings Cross – and saw brave train staff and passengers intervene in a bid to stop the alleged attacker as he went through the train with a knife.
The alleged Huntingdon knife attacker seen in CCTV footage exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail. Police say a 32-year-old man has been charged in connection with the attack
The train was removed from Huntingdon station this morning. The station will remain closed until the end of today
The suspect is understood to have boarded the train at Peterborough before allegedly rampaging through the train with a knife.
Passengers ran through the train, barricading themselves in toilets and behind the shutters of the onboard shop in the buffet car in a bid to protect themselves.
Driver Andrew Johnson – a veteran of the second Gulf War – then frantically worked with Network Rail staff to make an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire.
Passengers were then hurriedly ushered down the platform by cool-headed railway staff – closely followed by the suspect, still brandishing a knife as he crossed the railway tracks and leapt over a fence before being subdued by police.
Nine of the 11 injured people were left fighting for their lives – with five people discharged from hospital as of last night.
An LNER worker in the cafe suffered the most egregious injuries trying to defend fellow passengers from the attacker.
He is in a ‘critical but stable’ condition today, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.
She said: ‘There are people who are alive today because of his actions and his bravery. He went in to do his job and he left work a hero.’
A Nottingham Forest fan travelling home from a match against Manchester United was also stabbed after bravely approaching the alleged attacker, it is understood.
Despite warnings from fellow passengers not to approach the knifeman due to his smaller stature, Stephen Crean reportedly told another Forest fan he was ‘going to go confront him’.
Mr Crean was later seen at Huntingdon station, visibly injured and receiving medical attention.
In a heartfelt Facebook post about the football fan, Munster Forest wrote: ‘I have known him for at least 10 years and he is one of the gentlest souls you could meet.
‘He bravely put himself in front of some children to protect them. What a hero he is!’
Heroic passenger Stephen Crean (pictured) reportedly said he was ‘going to go confront’ the attacker before he was stabbed
Hero driver Andrew Johnson (pictured) rapidly diverted the London-bound train to Huntingdon station after being alerted to the mass stabbing, enabling emergency services to act fast
Our exclusive footage shows a knifeman carrying a blade while walking through a car park next to Huntingdon rail station in Cambridgeshire following Saturday night’s train stabbings
Police forensic officers examine the LNER Azuma train on Sunday following Saturday night’s horror attack
Police had initially used the codeword Plato – for a ‘marauding terror attack’ – as reports of the incident came in.
Terrorism has since been ruled out as a motive and Ms Alexander said today that the suspect had not been known to MI5 or counter-terror services.
Tracy Easton, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said the number of charges would be ‘kept under review’ as further enquiries are carried out.
She said: ‘We worked closely with British Transport Police to review a huge volume of evidence including CCTV. The number of charges will be kept under review as this continues to progress.
‘We know the devastating impact the events on Saturday’s train has had and how the incident shocked the entire country. Our thoughts remain with all those affected.’
A 35–year–old man who was arrested at the scene has since been released with no further action after police established he was not involved in the attack.
Footage obtained by the Mail appeared to show him scream ‘it’s not me’ as he was tasered by police officers who mistook him for the attacker.
The innocent man walks down the train platform at Huntingdon – where the train driver was forced to make a diversion – only to be struck down by police with a Taser.
LNER boss David Horne said the firm was ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by Saturday’s events.
Huntingdon station will remain closed until the end of today. The LNER Azuma train on which the attack took place was moved out this morning, and trains are able to pass through to and from London.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
