Introduction:
Lessar Avenue, opposite Clapham Common, became the scene of a horrific acid attack as a mother, engaged in a heated argument with a suspected assailant, had a corrosive substance thrown over her face and her two young children.
The brutal incident unfolded at 7.30pm, leaving the victims screaming in pain and prompting hero passers-by to rush to their aid.
Chaos Unleashed:
Eyewitnesses reported a distressing scene where the mother, after being engaged in an argument, became the target of the vile attack, leaving her shouting, ‘I can’t see, I can’t see.’
The suspected acid, believed to have covered her face completely, caused immense pain.
The horrifying incident resulted in a total of nine people injured, with eight requiring hospital treatment, including those who came to the family’s rescue and responding police officers.
Manhunt and Forensic Examination:
The Met Police initiated a manhunt, deploying a helicopter in pursuit of the attacker.
Forensics teams were observed inspecting a coffee cup at the scene, suspected to have been used in the attack. Witnesses described the assailant fleeing the scene after the shocking assault.
Eyewitness Accounts:
A witness who attempted to assist the victims recounted the harrowing scene, describing how a man forcibly grabbed a young child from a car, threw her onto the ground, and then targeted the woman with a substance, prompting her agonized cries.
Another witness detailed rushing into their house to grab water and throwing it on the woman’s eyes, observing the aftermath of burnt skin and blackened lips.
Injuries and Emergency Response:
Of the nine individuals treated by the London Ambulance Service, five were taken to a major trauma center, three to a local hospital, and one was discharged at the scene.
Among those injured were police officers and Good Samaritans inadvertently harmed while aiding the victims.
The severity of injuries to the victims and those assisting them is yet to be fully determined.
Investigation and Public Assistance:
Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle assured an ongoing investigation, emphasizing the efforts to determine the substance used.
The incident is currently believed to involve a corrosive substance.
The police appealed to the public for any information or material that could aid in the apprehension of the attacker, urging immediate contact through the emergency number 999.
Emergency Services’ Efforts:
Emergency services, including two incident response officers, three ambulance crews, and members of the hazardous area response team, rushed to the scene after being alerted to the incident shortly before 7.30pm.
The London Fire Brigade provided immediate emergency care to the victims and detected a corrosive substance using specialized equipment.
Community and Political Response:
The shocking incident prompted reactions from local political figures, with concerns expressed by Stretham MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Labour’s London Assembly member for Lambeth & Southwark, Marina Ahmad.
A large police presence, fire engines, and ambulances were visible on the road, emphasizing the gravity of the situation in Clapham.
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