Hero passenger’s hand ‘will not fully recover’ after train attack

A man who was stabbed on a train in Cambridgeshire has said his left hand will not fully recover, with a “best case” scenario of regaining 75% use.

Stephen Crean was injured as he intervened during a mass stabbing on a train from Doncaster to London on 1 November.

The 61-year-old Nottingham Forest fan was on his way home from his side’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United when he was caught up in the attack.

Mr Crean was hailed a “hero” in the aftermath, and is currently unable to work while he continues his recovery at home.

Eleven people were taken to hospital following the attack on the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service.

Police were called by passengers and armed officers boarded the train in Huntingdon.

Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 11 counts of attempted murder – including that of Mr Crean – two counts of possession of a bladed article and one count of actual bodily harm.

One of the attempted murder counts relates to a separate incident.

Mr Crean said he felt the knife “twist and turn” in his hand, after grabbing it during the confrontation.

“Even though the cuts might be deep at the back, it’s the hand. I can feel it especially at nighttime, it’s a nightmare,” he added.

Mr Crean has had one operation on his arm and fingers since.

He said doctors told him they would try to get back “75% use” of his hand, but as he works at a printers and is left-handed, he fears for the future.

But recovering at his home in Wimbledon, London, the Nottingham Forest fan of 50 years said despite his injuries, he had “no regrets”.

“I will get better. I know [my hand] won’t be 100%, but it will get better,” Mr Crean said.

A 19-year-old student, called Astrid, who was on the train at the time, told the BBC Mr Crean was a “hero” for his actions.

“I don’t want to think about what might have been. I just think on the plus side,” he said.

“I came out alive with a few cuts, bruises, scars, whatever – I will take that at the end of the day.

“I will take it because it could have been a lot worse.”

The train driver Andrew Johnson – a former Royal Navy officer – was also praised for his quick reaction to get the train diverted, alongside train crew member Samir Zitouni, who was credited with saving numerous lives and who suffered serious injuries.

Taking his physical recovery “day by day”, Mr Crean said he was also trying to talk to people about what happened – calling it a kind of “cure”.

He recalled that the most “emotional” moment following the attack was seeing his family.

“I was in absolute bits because I don’t want anyone, especially my family, to see me like this,” he added.

Since the attack, an online fundraiser has raised more than £62,000 for Mr Crean to support him while he is unable to work.

Among the thousands of donations is a £10,000 contribution from Nottingham Forest, which also took a moment to appreciate Mr Crean’s actions as he returned to the City Ground to watch the side’s 3-1 win over Leeds United on 9 November.

The season ticket holder of 35 years was given a rapturous standing ovation from fans as he arrived, as well as handshakes and praise from club owner Evangelos Marinakis and head coach Sean Dyche.

“It meant the world to me. I could see people clapping, applauding and I just thank them so much,” he said.

“I would have been happy with a few quid to go down the pub. I didn’t expect anything.”