The Huntingdon train driver who was praised for ‘saving lives’ has broken his silence – and said his onboard colleagues were the ‘real heroes’.
Andrew Johnson was driving the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to King’s Cross when a knifeman went on a rampage onboard and injured 10 people.
Anthony Williams, 32, of Peterborough, was charged with 11 counts of attempted murder and appeared in court on Monday. One charge is from the hours before the train stabbing.
Driver Johnson, a Royal Navy and Iraq War veteran, rapidly diverted the London-bound carriages to Huntingdon Station after being alerted to the attack, enabling emergency services to act fast.
In a statement issued by LNER, Mr Johnson said: ‘As train drivers, we hold a lot of responsibility.
‘We practise our emergency response and keep up to date with our knowledge of the route, so if needed, we know exactly where to stop and what to do.’
Another staff member who was working in the buffet carriage of the train remains in a critical condition.
Police said he too ‘undoubtedly saved people’s lives’ and reportedly shielded passengers from the attacker.
Johnson continued: ‘The action I took is the same as any other driver. I think my colleagues on board were the real heroes and I’d like to pay tribute to their bravery.’
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
LNER said Johnson, working with teams in the Rail Operating Centre in York, contacted a signaller, who took immediate action to divert the service from its usual route, following the attack on passengers.
‘Andrew called upon his near 20-year driving experience to request an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station, allowing police to access the train and apprehend a violent suspect,’ LNER said.
‘Before joining the railway, Andrew served in the Royal Navy for 17 years.
‘LNER drivers undergo more than 300 hours of classroom and practical training before becoming operational on the railway. Once qualified, they are regularly assessed, with a two-year cycle of rigorous competency checks.’
Mr Johnson was deployed to Iraq in 2003 during the second Gulf War.
He is understood to have finished his career as a Chief Petty Officer, after working as a weapons engineer.
David Horne, LNER managing director, said: ‘Andrew’s actions are testament to the expertise and skills he has built over his career, both on the railway and in the military.
‘The intensive training undertaken by our drivers means they are always ready to respond in any situation.
‘We’re grateful to Andrew, our onboard colleagues, the signaller, and the station team at Huntingdon, for their actions on Saturday. Our thoughts remain with our colleague in hospital.’
A man was seen fleeing Huntingdon station in the aftermath of the incident, as captured in CCTV footage exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail
The 6.25pm LNER service had departed Peterborough Station at 7.30pm when the knife attack started.
British Transport Police received reports of the incident at 7.42pm on Saturday before racing to the scene, where armed officers boarded the train and detained two suspects. One was later released without further action.
It was revealed today that a man believed to be Williams, the alleged knifeman, stormed into a Peterborough barber shop with a blade – as police investigate whether he stabbed a 14-year-old boy minutes before.
CCTV footage exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail allegedly shows a man entering Ritzy Barbers, in Fletton, on Friday at 7.14pm – minutes after police were called to the stabbing of a 14-year-old in the city centre.
Barber shop staff then called police around 90 minutes after he left – but Cambridgeshire Constabulary did not send officers, instead asking the shop to upload CCTV online.
Barber Cody Greene, 23, told the Daily Mail the same man returned to the shop at 9.25am on Saturday. Police were called again, but by the time they arrived, the man had left.
CCTV footage exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail allegedly shows a knifeman entering Ritzy Barbers in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, on Friday
This happened around 10 hours before prosecutors allege Williams began his train rampage, and more than eight hours after the 32-year-old allegedly stabbed a man at a Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station in the capital early that morning.
Police on Monday launched a probe to establish whether the three incidents in the city before the alleged rampage are linked – and are facing accusations that they could have thwarted the attack had they acted quicker.
‘Even though we called the police, I feel guilty because it could have been prevented if action had been taken,’ Mr Greene said.
‘They have cameras everywhere, they [the police] have seen what this guy looks like. He has then walked past this shop again. It [the train attack] definitely could have been prevented.’
Cambridgeshire Constabulary says it is ‘aware’ of the incidents and is reviewing others around the same time to understand if other offences were committed. The Home Secretary vowed today that questions about the attack ‘will be answered’.
Williams appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday wearing a grey sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms. He was in handcuffs, accompanied by four prison officers.
He faces additional charges of attempted murder and possessing a bladed article after a passenger was stabbed at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London shortly after 12.45am on Saturday.
The LNER Azuma train on which the alleged attack unfolded was removed from Huntingdon station this morning (pictured leaving the station)
It is alleged the victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
The court heard he had also been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after allegedly attacking a police officer as he was brought into custody, breaking an officer’s nose.
Williams spoke only to confirm his name and address during the six-minute hearing, mumbling to the court that he was of no fixed abode.
Documents allege that he used a ‘large kitchen knife’ in both incidents. No application was made for bail.
Before Williams was brought into court, the judge granted an application for him to appear in cuffs after it was heard he allegedly assaulted an officer upon his arrest.
Opposing bail, prosecutor Olaide Esan told the hearing: ‘The defendant has attempted to murder 11 people in total.
‘These are serious allegations. These are very serious offences. The defendant is a risk to the trains and to the members of the public.’
District Judge Kenneth Sheraton remanded Williams in custody and adjourned the case for a further hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on December 1.
The LNER train at Huntingdon station following the attack on Saturday evening
Police cars and Ambulances are pictured outside Huntingdon Station in Cambridgeshire
It is understood Williams was not known to the security services or counter-terrorism policing, and had not been referred to the Government anti-extremism scheme Prevent.
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy of the British Transport Police said: ‘The criminal investigation and support for the victims is a priority.
‘Our investigation is also looking at other possible linked offences.’
Security has been ramped up at train stations in the wake of the attack. The LNER Azuma train involved left Huntingdon station this morning; the station itself is closed until the end of the day.