King Charles hosts Huntingdon train stabbing heroes at Buckingham Palace

King Charles hosted Huntingdon heroes at Buckingham Palace today (Image: Getty)

King Charles hosted six heroes of the Huntingdon train stabbings at Buckingham Palace this afternoon to thank them for their bravery. The individuals, which included members of the public and railway staff, were invited to meet the monarch at his London’s residence for showing particular bravery as at least 10 people were seriously injured on the London-bound train as it left Peterborough on November 1. 

Eleven people received treatment at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge after the incident on 1 November. They have all since been discharged. Among those the King received on Wednesday was driver Andrew Johnson, who requested an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station, allowing police to access the train and apprehend the violent suspect.

Before joining the railway, Mr Johnson served in the Royal Navy for 17-years. Others invited to the Palace include Christina Jones, Michael Gawthorpe, Stephen Crean, Samir Zitouni and Kevin Deeley. Each attendee was joined by a guest.

The Chief Constable of British Transport Police, Lucy D’Orsi, and Family Liaison Officers were also in attendance.

The 18:25 service was diverted and stopped at Huntingdon after multiple 999 calls from the train.

Anthony Williams, 32, from Langford Road in Peterborough, has been accused of carrying out the stabbing spree on the high-speed train, and has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article.

He was also charged with another count of attempted murder and possession of a knife over an incident at Pontoon Dock Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station, in east London, earlier the same day.

Mr Williams has also been charged with seven more offences relating to incidents the day before the train stabbings.

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King Charles greets train driver Andrew Johnson during a reception at Buckingham Palace (Image: PA)

On December 1, the accused refused to attend a short hearing at Cambridge Crown Court via video-link room from prison.

Judge Mark Bishop said a further hearing will take place at Cambridge Crown Court on 28 January and he set a provisional trial date of June next year.