Father of schoolgirl injured in acid attack speaks about her life-changing trauma

THE father of a schoolgirl who suffered “life changing” injuries after acid was thrown in her face in a drive-by-attack says “words cannot express the shock, pain, and trauma she is going through”.

The 14-year-old girl, a boy aged 16 and a 27-year-old female teacher were all hospitalised after a balaclava-clad attacker riding an e-scooter hurled the corrosive substance outside Westminster Academy in London on Monday afternoon.

Police are hunting the “tall, slim, black male, wearing dark clothing” who fled the scene after seemingly targeting the teen pair.

Much of the deadly liquid – thrown from a container – splashed into the left side of the girl’s face causing extensive burns whilst also hitting a 16-year-old boy she was walking beside. The boy, who also continues to be treated in hospital, is not a pupil at the school but had met the girl after her lessons finished.

The hero teacher, 27, who “bravely and selflessly” rushed to provide first aid to the two young victims, needed hospital treatment herself for minor injuries but has since been discharged.

The girl’s devastated father Corey McFarlane revealed his daughter was in a stable condition after sustaining burns to the left side of her face that could leave her scarred for life.

“She’s very traumatised by the attack,” said Mr McFarlane, 37, from Westminster.

“She’s very scared about her injuries. She’s a young girl, and these scars could be for life. She’s very worried about that and has been asking about that.”

Mr McFarlane said he has been staying at his daughter’s bedside in hospital, waking every couple of hours to administer eye drops and apply paraffin to her face “to keep everything in place.

“I can’t explain what I’m going through – words can’t explain it,” he said, adding that the family “haven’t got any idea” of the attacker’s motive.

The girl’s 16-year-old sister meanwhile dare not leave her home following the attack with Mr McFarlane revealing: “She doesn’t feel safe going out to school.”

The father has now launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money to cover the costs of care and long-term support for his “beautiful daughter” who medics have warned faces years of treatment due to the severity of the attack.

He said: “My beautiful daughter was the victim of a devastating acid attack outside the Westminster Academy school.

“Words cannot express the shock, pain, and trauma she is going through right now, both physically and emotionally.

“This senseless act of violence has left her with severe injuries that require urgent and long-term medical care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and mental health support.”

Mr McFarlane said his family also need help “to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice” and asked for help from the community for information that could assist the investigation.

“My daughter is a fighter, but she needs her community behind her more than ever,” he added.

Passing patrol officers were flagged down by staff at the school while on patrol at 4.42pm on Monday, with paramedics and London Fire Brigade also attending.

Westminster Academy confirmed that one pupil, a teacher and a member of the public were hurt “in an incident outside the school building” on the main road involving an “acid-like corrosive substance”.

The Met confirmed that the two officers initially flagged down had received medical treatment after reporting feeling unwell but had been given the all-clear.

They are now appealing for drivers with dash-cams who were in the area on Monday afternoon to check their footage for any evidence.

Detective Chief Inspector Dean Purvis said: “For the 14-year-old girl, we might not know for some time how severe her injuries are but at this time they are being treated as life-changing.

“I know how incredibly concerning this incident is to parents and pupils and the wider Westminster community.

“We are in close contact with the school and local authority, and I can assure people that a thorough investigation is well under way, and that my officers will not stop until the suspect is found and arrested.

“If you have information that can help us, it is imperative that you tell us immediately. The area at the time was busy with people and cars.

“I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who might have captured dash cam footage that can help us establish what happened.”

In a statement, school principal Numera Anwar said the “distressing” attack took place outside the main school building after hours as staff and pupils left for the day.

Ms Anwar said: “One pupil, a teacher and a member of the public have been injured in an incident outside the school building on the main road involving an acid-like corrosive substance.

“This was a distressing incident which took place after school hours when students and staff were leaving the school site.

“We are offering support to families and relatives of all involved.”