A mother was left screaming “my eyes” after a corrosive substance was thrown into her face and at her two children in a suspected alkaline attack in south London.
The man then fled the scene, according to witnesses, and left eight people needing hospital treatment.
A total of nine individuals, including a woman, her two children and three officers were injured as a result of the incident.
The suspect is still at large as of Thursday morning, and a helicopter was deployed to try and locate them.
London attack: nine injured in south London
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Police officers have launched an investigation following the attack in Lessar Avenue, Clapham South
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It is understood that three passers-by tried to come to the aid of those injured in the horrific attack, before suffering injuries themselves.
Police officers have launched an investigation following the attack in Lessar Avenue, Clapham South.
“It was horrific,” a witness told Sky News who tried to help by cleaning the chemical from the woman’s face.
“First a man grabbed his kid - a girl aged two or three from a white car.
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A witness said they heard the mum screaming 'my eyes'
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“He threw her onto the floor - twice! It was the worst thing I've ever seen.
“The man then threw something at the woman. She was screaming, 'my eyes! My eyes!'.”
The man then allegedly got into a car and tried to run the woman over.
The witness said, “there was a little baby girl banging on the door on the dad’s side, the lady was crying, screaming” and calling for help.
Police have yet to arrest anyone as of yet
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Superintendent Gabriel Cameron, a senior officer who polices in Lambeth, said: "Firstly, I want to acknowledge the considerable public concern following this terrible incident, and update on the injuries suffered by the victims.
"The woman, who is aged 31, and her two daughters - aged eight and three - all remain in hospital. While none of their conditions are life-threatening, the injuries to the woman and younger girl could be life-changing. It may be some time before hospital staff are able to say how serious that might be.
"I am sure the public will join me in saying they are in our thoughts and we wish them the fullest possible recovery."
Everyone else who was injured in the attack has been treated and since been released from hospital.
Cameron said that he believes that the man and the mother know each other.
Police are still hunting for the suspect
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He added: "Officers from across the Met are working with partner agencies and forces to locate and arrest the man. While this appears a targeted attack, he is a dangerous individual and we urgently need to find him. We will release more information about him as soon as we can."
No arrest has been made and police said they will give an update on the conditions of the injured people as soon as possible.