A retired US firefighter who tried to grab the man who stabbed to death a retired teacher in London this week says anyone would have tried to stop the attack.

Martin Hoenisch, 59, said he was just a tourist who knew what to do in a dire situation - namely try to subdue a man wielding a knife on Wednesday in London's Russell Square, near the British Museum. The suspect appeared in court Saturday and was ordered to be held until the next hearing.

Hoenisch told The Associated Press that he and his wife had just arrived in London and were walking back from a pub at about 11:30 pm when he saw a woman in distress. His first reaction was to step in front of his wife. Then he then tried to stop the attacker.