Heroism on the Rails Met with Airline Refusal
A man who demonstrated extraordinary bravery during a mass stabbing on a train has been told by Ryanair that he will not receive a refund for a flight he was too injured to take. Stephen Crean, 61, was stabbed seven times after confronting an attacker armed with a large kitchen knife on the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service from Doncaster to London King's Cross last Saturday evening.
A Terrifying Confrontation and Lifesaving Actions
Mr Crean, a lifelong Nottingham Forest fan, was returning from watching his team's 2-2 draw with Manchester United when he heard screams from another carriage. He bravely moved towards the danger, arming himself with nothing but his fists. He swiftly placed himself between the knifeman and a 19-year-old passenger, Astrid, who believes he saved her life.
Recalling the horrific moment, Mr Crean described the attacker's weapon as a 'great big oversized kitchen knife – it was as if it was a Japanese sword or something.' The assailant allegedly asked him, 'Do you want to die?' before attacking him. Mr Crean was stabbed in his left hand, three times in his back, once on his bottom, and twice in his head before he managed to hide in an empty toilet, where he lay bleeding for about ten minutes until armed police rescued him.
His selfless act of confronting the attacker gave other passengers crucial time to barricade themselves in the buffet car, potentially preventing dozens more injuries. Ten people were injured in the incident overall.
Fallout and Widespread Support for a Hero
Due to the severe injuries sustained, Mr Crean was unable to fly to Austria on Wednesday to watch his beloved Nottingham Forest play Sturm Graz in the Europa League. When he contacted Ryanair, the budget airline refused to refund his ticket. A spokesperson stated, 'All Ryanair air fares are non-refundable, which is why we strongly recommend passengers take out travel insurance in order to protect themselves if they can't travel.'
The decision has sparked significant public anger. Nottingham Forest fans have spoken out against Ryanair, with some calling for a boycott of the airline. Fan Kevin George called the response 'absolutely disgusting,' while Philip Chambers noted that 'Stephen is gutted he can't come.'
In a heartening show of support, the football community has rallied around Mr Crean. A JustGiving page was set up to aid his recovery, and Nottingham Forest themselves donated £10,000, helping to push the total raised to over £59,000. The club has also reportedly offered him a complimentary season ticket and an invitation to fly with the squad to a future Europa League match.
Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder following the attack.
