A 55-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder over a stabbing on a packed rush-hour Overground train at Hackney Central on Tuesday.

James Kamara, of Portland Rise, Manor House, is also accused of possessing an offensive weapon. He appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court yesterday and has been remanded in custody.

British Transport Police have said the victim is in stable condition after being knifed on the train at about 6pm, sparking mass panic among customers.

Bunmi Ogunleye, who was on the train, told the Gazette: “A minute before Hackney Central people started running and falling on top if each other.

“They were screaming shoving and pushing.

“A man ran passed us towards the back who was the one stabbed. He collapsed on the floor.

“I looked back and saw this man with a knife on his right hand. I couldn’t make out what he was saying.

“He was walking towards us and we were rushing towards the back in total panic.”