- Written by Thomas Mackintosh, Ellie Price, Emily Atkinson
- BBC News
Attack scene in Clapham, south London
Witnesses have described the “horrific” scene after a mother and her two daughters were doused in a car with a “corrosive substance” in south London.
A family, three responding police officers and two others who tried to help were taken to hospital after the attack in Clapham on Wednesday.
One witness told the BBC that the mother screamed “I can’t see, I can’t see” as she tried to help. “It was very scary,” he added.
Police are searching for the suspect.
The Metropolitan Police said emergency services were called to Lesser Avenue, near Clapham Common, at 19:25 GMT following reports of an attack involving a suspected “corrosive substance”.
Photos from the scene show a silver hatchback abandoned with its doors open.
The couple, who live on Lesser Avenue, said they ran into the street after hearing cries for help and the sound of a car crash.
“When I went outside, there was a man. He took the girl out of the car and slammed her to the ground twice,” said the man, who did not want to give his name.
“I chased it halfway down the road, but I couldn’t get very far because I was wearing slippers.
“When I came back, that’s when I saw the woman who had been attacked…so I went inside to get some water and sprayed her with water.
A silver hatchback abandoned on Lesser Avenue, the scene of the attack.
London Labor MP Marina Ahmad said there had been a road accident on Lesser Avenue “in which a man assaulted the occupants of a vehicle”.
Those who tried to help were also affected by the substance, including the man’s partner. The man’s partner said he felt a “burning sensation”.
Eight people were taken to hospitals, five to major trauma centers and three to local hospitals. The witness’ partner was later released.
London Ambulance Service said a ninth person was discharged from hospital at the scene.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, three police officers appeared to have sustained minor injuries.
The extent of the victim’s injuries has not been confirmed by police.
Detective Inspector Supt Alexander Castle said tests were underway to determine the substance used.
The Home Office defines a “corrosive substance” as one that has the ability to burn human skin through corrosion.
London Fire Brigade confirmed that two members from Clapham and Battersea fire stations attended the scene and provided first aid to the mother and her two children.
“Crews also used specialized equipment to detect corrosive materials believed to have been used during the incident.
“The brigade was called in at 7:35 p.m. and firefighters brought the incident to a close by 9:21 p.m..”
In a joint statement, local Clapham Common councilors Alison Inglis-Jones and Ben Curtis said they and the wider community were in “utter disbelief and shock” at what had happened.