A man accused of being the Huntingdon train knifeman has been charged over another attack at a London station earlier that day.
Anthony Williams, 32, of Peterborough, has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder – including one which took place in the early hours of Saturday.
Police said today that a passenger was stabbed at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London shortly after 12.45am on November 1.
It is understood the victim suffered facial injuries after being attacked with a knife.
Hours later, Williams is accused of going on a knife rampage on the high-speed 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross.
Williams is due to appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court today. A van thought to be carrying him arrived at court earlier this morning.
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 but the railway passing through has reopened.
Saturday’s attack saw brave train staff and passengers intervene in a bid to stop the alleged attacker as he went through the train with a knife.
Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged in connection with a knife rampage on board an LNER train that unfolded on Saturday
The Azuma 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 moving train.
Passengers ran through the carriages, barricading themselves in toilets and behind the shutters of the onboard shop in the buffet car in a bid to protect themselves.
The suspected attacker is believed to have said ‘the Devil’s not going to win’ as he came at passengers with a knife.
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Huntington knife suspect to appear at court charged over horrific train stabbings
Driver Andrew Johnson – a veteran of the second Gulf War – frantically worked with Network Rail staff to arrange for the LNER Azuma to make an emergency stop at Huntingdon station in Cambridgeshire.
As the train pulled into the station, cool-headed railway staff ushered passengers hurriedly down the platform as the suspect followed closely behind.
The alleged attacker, still brandishing a knife, 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 van thought to be carrying suspect Anthony Williams arrived at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court earlier this morning
Williams is also alleged to have attempted to kill a man at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London (pictured) in the early hours of November 1
Security has been stepped up at train stations following the attack (pictured: armed police at St Pancras International Station in London on Monday morning)
The LNER Azuma train involved in the attack left Huntingdon station this morning (pictured leaving)
Police forensic officers examine the LNER Azuma train on Sunday following Saturday night’s horror attack
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!’
Police had initially used the codeword Plato – for a ‘marauding terror attack’ – as reports of the incident came in.
Witness Thomas McLachlan, 19, from London, who was returning from a trip to Newcastle, described how people were leaving the train ‘drenched in blood’.
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.
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 man carrying a blade while walking through a car park next to Huntingdon rail station in Cambridgeshire following Saturday night’s train stabbings
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.
LNER boss David Horne said the firm was ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by Saturday’s events.
