✕CloseWoman and two children in hospital after ‘corrosive substance attack’
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A mother and daughter suffered potentially life-changing injuries after a corrosive substance was thrown in their faces.
The mother, 31, and her three-year-old daughter, were rushed to hospital after the attack in Clapham, south London, on Wednesday night.
A witness told The Independent she heard a woman screaming for help as a man pulled a child out of a car and violently slammed her onto the floor.
The victim was screaming “My eyes. My eyes. Call the police. My eyes,” according to reports. A manhunt is now underway for the suspect who fled the scene.
Another witness added: “He lifted the young child up extended his arms up above his head and throw her to the floor like a ragdoll. I thought she was dead, everyone was screaming ‘stop’ and ‘call the police’.”
The family, three responding police officers and two others who tried to help were all rushed to hospital after the “horrific” attack.
Officers were called to the scene in Lessar Avenue near Clapham Common at around 7.25pm after receiving reports of the incident.
Have you been affected by this? Email barney.davis.ind@independent.co.uk
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Streatham MP hails ‘absolute heros'
Streatham MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy hailed the actions of the “absolute heros” who stepped in grabbing the youngest child away and chasing off the attacker, Barney Davis reports.
She told The Independent: “They are amazing. They are true heroes, honestly, they came out at complete risk to themselves and did what they had to do to keep people safe.
“They are all fine now. It’s just the woman and her children who have life-changing but not life-threatening injuries. The local people here are absolute heroes they didn’t think about their own safety once.”
Bell Ribeiro-Addy hailed the actions of the ‘absolute heros’ who stepped in to save the youngest child
Alexander Butler1 February 2024 11:221706786187
Met Commissioner calls out ‘ghastly' attack
The Metropolitan Police commissioner has called out the “ghastly” chemical attack on a mother and her two daughters and confirmed the attacker was known to the family.
“It’s frightening. This is a ghastly attack. But everything we know points this to being two people who know eachother. It’s not random,” Sir Mark Rowley told BBC Radio London.
Sir Mark added that the mother and youngest daughter’s burns were “potentially substantial” and a live manhunt for the suspect was underway.
Sir Mark Rowley said the attack was ‘ghastly’ and confirmed the attacker was known to victims
(PA)
Alexander Butler1 February 2024 11:161706784614
Mother and attacker knew eachother, MP says
The mother and attacker knew eachother, according to Streatham’s MP. Bell Ribeiro-Addy told The Independent: “It’s clear that the individuals involved in the attack were known to each other.”
The mother, 31, and her two daughters – aged eight and three – all remain in hospital, after they were allegedly attacked by a man who police are now hunting.
A witness told The Independent she saw a man get out of the same car as the mother and two children in school uniform in the back before throwing the youngest to the floor.
Police at the scene of the attack near Clapham Common, London
(Barney Davis/ The Independent)
Alexander Butler1 February 2024 10:501706782885
How many were injured in the attack?
The family, five responding officers and three others who tried to help were all rushed to hospital after the attack on Wednesday evening.
The mother, 31, and her two daughters – aged eight and three – all remain in hospital, after they were allegedly attacked by a man who police are now hunting.
Three women, two in their 30s and one in her 50s, were also injured after coming to the aid of the family when they saw commotion.
Five police officers were also injured, A man in his 50s suffered minor injuries but declined hospital treatment, according to police.
Police at the scene in Lessar Avenue near Clapham Common. 12 were injured overall.
(PA)
Alexander Butler1 February 2024 10:211706781954
Three-year-old girl slammed to floor like a ‘ragdoll'
A three-year-old girl was slammed to the floor twice like a “ragdoll” in a suspected acid attack which left nine injured and two with potentially life-changing injuries, Barney Davisreports.
A witness told The Independent she saw a man get out of the same car as the mother and two children in school uniform in the back before throwing the youngest to the floor.
“It was horrendous I have not slept a wink since. I saw what I thought was a normal accident but then I saw him come out walk to the back passenger side and take a child out,” she said.
“He lifted the young child up extended his arms up above his head and throw her to the floor like a ragdoll.“I thought she was dead, everyone was screaming ‘stop’ and ‘call the police’.
“It looked like she hit her head on the middle of the road. He picked the child up again and slammed her again she landed on her side.
“I thought she was gone from the sheer force of the first hit. She was making no noise. The lady across was looking out for her.
“I said she should be stabilised to protect her spine. She was quiet not making any noise it was horrifying. We were throwing water in her little face.
“Then suddenly the baby cried ‘I want my mum’ and I knew she was alive. It was such a relief.”
A three-year-old girl was slammed into the floor like a ragdoll, witnesses say
(PA)
Alexander Butler1 February 2024 10:051706781643
Mother and child could suffer life-changing injuries
A mother and daughter could suffer life-changing injuries after a suspected corrosive substance was thrown in their faces.
The mother, 31, and her three-year-old daughter, were rushed to hospital after the attack in Clapham, south London, on Wednesday night.
The mother was screaming “My eyes. My eyes. Call the police. My eyes,” as the young girl was thrown to the ground like a “ragdoll”, according to witnesses.
The incident occurred near Clapham Common, south London, on Wednesday evening
(PA Wire)
Alexander Butler1 February 2024 10:001706779414
Watch: CCTV appears to capture moment Clapham ‘acid attack’ unfolded
CCTV appears to capture moment Clapham 'acid attack' unfoldedAlexander Butler1 February 2024 09:231706779365
Mapped: The site of the acid attack
View moreAlexander Butler1 February 2024 09:221706778378
Man threw child to the floor like he was in a wrestling ring, witness says
A man threw a child to the floor twice like he was in a “wrestling ring” during the suspected acid attack, a witness told The Independent.
Shannon Christi, 35, ran out on hearing the mother scream for help. She saw a man in black throwing a child to the floor twice “like he was in the wrestling ring”.
Without hesitation she ran towards him and grabbed the 3-year-old girl off the floor and brought her inside to safety.
Her partner dressed in his slippers ran after the suspect chasing him away down the street. She told The Independent: “I heard screaming ‘help, help’ and came outside.
“I saw the man throwing the girl on the floor like he was in a wrestling ring. He was angry. I rushed in and grabbed her. I didn’t see what he looked like or where he went I was focussed on her.
“I poured water on her and called the ambulance. The child was crying she told me her name and she was three but I couldn’t hear her through the tears.”
Ms Christi had gone to get hospital treatment when her lips and her arm started to burn after coming into contact with the child.
She added: “I just hope she is ok. I would do it again in an instant 100 per cent. I couldn’t leave her like that.”
Alexander Butler1 February 2024 09:061706777991
Latest police statement
Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle said on a statement late on Wednesday: “Officers are on scene following this horrific incident.
“Three victims – a woman and her two young children – have been taken to hospital for treatment.
“Three other people – all adults – have been taken to hospital for injuries sustained, we believe, as they came to their aid.
“We will update as soon as we know more about their conditions.
“Three police officers have also been taken to hospital after they responded to the incident. Thankfully we believe their injuries to be minor.
“While tests are ongoing to determine what the substance is, at this stage we believe it to be a corrosive substance.
“A man was seen fleeing the scene. We are drawing on resources from across the Met to apprehend this individual and work is ongoing to determine what has led to this awful incident.
“The National Police Air Service are assisting us. Any members of the public who can help us with information or material should call 999 immediately ref CAD 7790/31 Jan.”
Sam Rkaina1 February 2024 08:59NewerOlder✕
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