Clapham Acid Attack: 12 Injured Including Mom, 2 Kids; Police Are on Manhunt of Suspect

incident attack two children Police trauma

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Feb 02, 06:11 am

Photo: (Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Witnesses have recounted a horrifying incident in south London where a mother and her two daughters were attacked in their car with a corrosive substance

A resident named Shannon, residing on the street, described rushing outside upon hearing commotion, witnessing a man throwing a child to the ground.

She intervened, taking the child to safety, and later encountered the mother, who was experiencing vision impairment. Shannon's partner pursued the suspect, although limited by wearing slippers.

The partner described returning to the scene after chasing the suspect, noticing serious burns on the attacked woman's face. Shannon, who suffered less severe burns while caring for one of the children, was taken to the hospital but later discharged.

Witnesses on the scene

Other residents, such as Abdul, recalled the chaotic aftermath with baby shoes on the street, describing the scene as highly stressful with numerous emergency vehicles.

The shock of such an incident occurring in their supposedly safe neighborhood was emphasized by residents like David, who witnessed the aftermath.

As the search for the attacker began, the sound of helicopters added to the distress of the residents.

The nature of the attack has left the community distressed, with neighbors questioning how such actions could occur.

A woman's desperate screams of 'my eyes, my eyes' following the incident highlighted the intensity and trauma of the event.

A manhunt is in progress following an incident where a young child was forcefully thrown to the ground before a presumed corrosive substance was directed at her mother, resulting in injuries to nine individuals.

What happened during the incident

Metropolitan Police said the woman and her two children were taken to the hospital after a man threw the substance at them in south London around 7:25 pm on Wednesday.

Among those injured were three members of the public who came to their aid, and three Met officers who responded to the incident.

The London Ambulance Service reported that five individuals were transported to a major trauma center, three to a local hospital, and one was discharged at the scene.

The suspect fled the scene following the attack, and as of now, no arrests have been made, according to the police force.

Eyewitnesses informed Sky News that the suspect forcefully took a young child from a white car in Lessar Avenue, near Clapham Common, and threw her to the ground twice.

The witness, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted the mother screaming, "My eyes, my eyes" after the substance was thrown.

Describing the incident as "horrific," the witness detailed the man's actions, mentioning that he threw the child onto the ground and then targeted the woman with a substance, prompting the witness to intervene by providing water to the affected areas.

The witness further attempted to chase the suspect, despite limited progress due to wearing slippers.

The London Ambulance Service positioned two incident response officers, three ambulance crews, and members of the hazardous area response team to the scene.

Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle stated that the injuries sustained by the responding officers were minor.

He mentioned ongoing tests to identify the substance, with a current belief that it is corrosive.

The police are actively utilizing resources from across the Metropolitan Police to apprehend the suspect, and investigations are underway to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Marina Ahmad, Labour's London Assembly member for Lambeth & Southwark, reported a "traffic collision with a man assaulting occupants in a car and throwing acid," indicating that victims included children.