Frying pan in hand, train worker recalls repelling Huntingdon attacker despite punctured lungs

Zitouni describes his actions

Jurors watched a video interview with Zitouni, who was present in the public gallery. He said a crowd came through the train shouting that a man had a knife, and he asked whether they were sure.

Zitouni said he picked up a frying pan and first saw the knife blade. He told interviewers he was trying to strike the knife, make Williams drop it and stop him passing until the train stopped.

Passenger recalls throwing toaster

Passenger Michael Gawthorpe, who was in Zitouni’s carriage but was not stabbed, said he urged the attacker to calm down and put the knife down. He told him to stop, saying that they all had children.

Gawthorpe said someone handed him a large toaster, which he threw at the attacker. He said the train began to slow, and that this may have distracted the man.

Jury to consider intent

Prosecutors allege Williams attempted to murder 10 people on the train and, on 31 October, tried to kill three people in Peterborough. The court has been told there is no dispute that Williams carried out the attacks. The question for jurors is whether he intended to kill.