“The police called him a hero on Saturday evening, but to us – he’s always been a hero.”
The staff on the train have not spoken publicly about the attack and most witnesses saw the aftermath of the initial attacks, with few coming forward at this stage to describe the actions of the conductor.
One witness who saw the attacker stabbing passengers, Amira Ostalski, told the BBC the conductor had protected passengers and been injured as a result, but she said this was based on her conversations with others on the train.
LNER managing director David Horne wished Zitouni a speedy recovery.
“In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him,” he said.
“His actions were incredibly brave, and we are so proud of him, and of all our colleagues who acted with such courage that evening.
The BBC obtained an image of Anthony Williams in Peterborough the evening before the alleged train attack.Credit: BBC
The train driver, Andrew Johnson, has also been praised for contacting a signaller to ensure the train was diverted from its high-speed line so it could be brought to a halt at Huntingdon station.
“The action I took is the same as any other driver,” he said.
“I think my colleagues on board were the real heroes, and I’d like to pay tribute to their bravery.”
The British Transport Police said the time taken from the first phone call to emergency services to the arrest of the suspect at Huntingdon was eight minutes.
Police have charged the attacker with attempted murder over an incident at a light rail station in London on the night before the high-speed rail attack and are investigating his possible links to a series of violent incidents over the same 24 hours in and around his home town of Peterborough.
The attack on the LNER train left 11 people in hospital – 10 taken by ambulance and one who self-presented later. Most have been discharged, but four remain in hospital in a stable condition.
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