Yahoo News Stabbed Train Hero 'Knocked Out' Attacker
A US airman hailed as a hero after he stopped a gunman on a French train knocked out one of three attackers after he was repeatedly stabbed following a nightclub row, according to reports.
Spencer Stone, 23, was in intensive care after undergoing surgery for an apparent punctured lung following a brawl outside the nightclub in Sacramento, California.
He was with four friends when they got into an altercation with another group of people, according to Sacramento Deputy Police Chief Ken Bernard.
Cab driver Kennedy Hailermariam witnessed the Airman First Class fighting off three men.
He told KCRA: "When I got the green light, I was (able) to go. The fight was over. It was real quick.
"(Stone) knocked out one guy, after he got stabbed like three or four times."
Mr Hailermariam told the TV station it was three men against one and added that a 24-year-old woman was also injured after she tried to protect Mr Stone after he had been stabbed.
"She got a big hit. She got one big punch," he added.
Mr Stone was admitted to the UC Davis Medical Center on Thursday with three stab wounds to his torso and is expected to make a full recovery.
Initial reports had claimed Mr Stone would not survive his injuries.
CCTV footage has emerged of the fight between him and the group of men. The fight is not believed to be connected to terrorism.
Mr Bernard said officers were searching for two Asian men in their 20s who fled the scene in a dark Toyota Camry.
In a news conference he said: "The assault does not appear to be a random act. It is believed to be related to a nightclub incident.
"This incident is a very unfortunate altercation between two groups of folks enjoying the nightlife in Midtown. It is not related to terrorism in any way."
Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson tweeted his support for Mr Stone.
He wrote: "My thoughts and prayers go out to Spencer Stone and the Stone family. I ask that everyone respect the family's privacy at this time."
In August, Mr Stone and his friends Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler were hailed as heroes after subduing heavily armed gunman Ayoub El Khazzani on a train heading from Amsterdam to Paris.
Mr Stone suffered a badly cut thumb and a wound to his neck after he was attacked with a box cutter during the struggle.
President Barack Obama met the three Americans last month and they were all awarded France's highest honour.
Mr Skarlatos, an Army National Guard Specialist, described Mr Stone as "one tough guy" after learning of the stabbing.
He tweeted: "Everybody send prayers out to the Stone family today."
