Police are hunting for a man who fled the scene of a ‘corrosive substance’ attack that has left nine people, including two children, in hospital
A mum and her two children are in hospital after an attacker threw a corrosive substance at them in south London.
The mother cried, “I can’t see, I can’t see” a witness who ran to help her, told the BBC.
Three onlookers, who rushed to help the victims, and three police officers were also injured in what police described as a “horrific incident” at around 7.25pm on Wednesday evening.
A man was spotted fleeing the scene, in Lessar Avenue near Clapham Common, and is still on the run.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police are working to track him down. A police helicopter has been deployed in the manhunt.
On Thursday morning the road is blocked off by police. A white car with the doors still open remained in the middle of the road until this morning, until officers removed it.
Forensics also remain at the scene.
“There has been a traffic collision with a man assaulting occupants in a car and throwing acid. Victims include children,” Marina Ahmad, Labour’s London Assembly member for Lambeth & Southwark, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter on Wednesday night
Police have not said anything about a car crash or how the attack happened. Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle said: “Officers are on scene following this horrific incident.
“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.”
No arrests have been made and police have not commented on the condition on the victims. Detective Superintendent Alexander Castle said the officers’ injuries were “minor”.
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