Clapham suspect 'running out of time to stop fatal infection' warns surgeon
The suspected Clapham attacker Abdul Ezedi runs the risk of dying by his own hand in the wake of the shocking chemical blitz he is accused of launching against an innocent mum and her daughters.
On January 31, Ezedi allegedly hurled a corrosive chemical at the woman and two young girls - and suffered burns to his own face as a result of the twisted attack - which affected eight people in total. Police recently said they believe Ezedi's injuries could prove fatal - and a medical expert agrees.
Police revealed on Friday night (February 9) that they now believe Ezedi may had jumped from Victoria Bridge into the River Thames late on the evening of the attack. No body has been found.
Police said Ezedi, 35, and his alleged target been in a relationship before it broke down, with him then driving down to London from Newcastle where he and doused the woman and her children in the alkali chemical in his car. The alleged attacker may even be dead already, ahead of any complications from his injuries taking their toll, with police said to be considering the theory he jumped into the River Thames after making off from the scene of horror. But if he is still alive, it may only be a matter of time before matters outwith his control take their toll.
David Barnes - a leading burns consultant and plastic surgeon explained the processes that could be under way as the alkaline substance eats into Ezedi - with the potential to kill him. He said Ezedi’s injuries could see parts of his face "liquefied". Whilst strong acid and alkali have similar effects on the skin, Mr Barnes said: "There are subtle differences under the skin though."
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The consultant, who has specialised in burns for over a decade, added: "Both acid and alkali are corrosive but once you get through the skin layer, strong alkali, can in theory cause a bit more damage because they can go through the soft tissue and fat a bit more because it liquifies the fat. So it can be potentially a little bit worse."
Without medical attention, Ezedi may contract potentially fatal infections for his wound. Explaining how the wounds will change, Mr Barnes said that the deeper affected areas would "really go quite hard and leathery".
Abdul Ezedi is the focus of a nation-wide manhunt
Police said Ezedi had been in a relationship with the victim before it broke down (PA)Pictures released by police show the gruesome looking wound covering half of the alleged attacker’s face. Alongside that, burns can often lead to "functional problems" where the skin can contract and shrink, tightening up and pulling the rest of the body with it.
Without knowing specifics of Ezedi’s wound, Mr Barnes said it was difficult to know whether his injuries could be fatal. However, regardless of that, he warned that "even relatively small burns can get infected, and if that infection turns into sepsis" it could prove fatal.
Initially, hard scabbing will offer a protection against infection, but as that lifts and separates, it opens the door to the risk of fatal infection. Mr Barnes, who is clinical lead for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust’s St Andrew’s Burn Service as well as the London South East Burn Network, continued: "You’ll start to get a little bit of separation after a few weeks, and more thereafter, so he’s getting close to that."
This is thought to be what was behind Detective Superintendent Rick Sewart, who is leading the manhunt, saying Ezedi's injuries "appear very significant", and "could be potentially fatal if not treated."
The mum Ezedi allegedly attacked remains sedated in hospital police have said, and she was left with potentially "life-changing" injuries.
Meanwhile, the manhunt for Ezedi shifted northwards recently, amid two raids. Armed officers, aided by dogs carried out warrants in the early hours of Thursday morning at Best Bites pizza and another address in Newcastle associated with the fugitive. Despite ongoing efforts, Ezedi remains uncaptured.
January 31 timeline of Ezedi's movements
- 00:15 – Ezedi’s vehicle is seen in Newcastle where he lived and he drives down to London
- 06:30 – His vehicle is then seen traveling into Tooting, London
- 16:30 – A further sighting of his vehicle is confirmed in Croydon - it isn't clear what happens during the intervening ten house
- 19:00 – He is then seen driving in Streatham
- 19:25 – The horrific attack takes place in Clapham with eight people injured before Ezedi makes off in his vehicle which crashes nearby. He leaves the car and runs off on foot
- 19:33 – Ezedi boards a train at Clapham South Tube Station
- 19:59 – He is then seen leaving that train at King’s Cross Tube Station
- 20:42 – He is then seen on CCTV leaving Tesco at 21 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX. Footage shows Londoners passing by as he buys a bottle of water before he exits and turns right
- 21:00 - Ezedi enters King’s Cross Tube Station and boards a Victoria Line tube southbound
- 21:10 – He gets off at Victoria Tube Station and heads towards the district line
- 21:16 – Ezedi boards an eastbound District Line train
- 21:33 – Ezedi exits Tower Hill Tube Station
- 21:47 - He is seen on Allhallows Lane, EC3. He travels through a passage to Cousin Lane. Then he turns right, walking towards Upper Thames Street
- 21:51 - He then turns left onto Upper Thames Street
- 21:54 – He travels along Upper Thames Street
- 21:59 – Ezedi passes the City of London School on Pauls Walk, EC4, heading towards Blackfriars Bridge. He passes the riverboat pier
- 22:04 – He then passes the Unilever building and heads towards Victoria Embankment
- 22:06 – Ezedi passes Carmelite House, junction with Carmelite Street towards Temple
- 22:28 - He passes Westminster Pier, goes up steps and continues towards Westminster
- 22:33 - Ezedi seen walking south on Westminster bridge
- 22:36– He walks across Westminster Bridge, down steps on the London Eye side towards Lambeth
- 22:42– Ezedi seen walking west on south Thames Path towards Lambeth Bridge
- 22:55– He travels along the Albert Embankment approaching Vauxhall Bridge
- 23:00– Ezedi crosses Vauxhall Bridge towards stairs on the Houses of Parliament side of the river
- 23:03 - He crosses Vauxhall Bridge Road, into Grosvenor Road
- 23:10 – Ezedi walks west bound past the Shell petrol station
- 23:19 - He passes the Thames Water Building, Grosvenor Road, heading towards Chelsea Bridge
- 23:25 – He crosses over Chelsea Bridge and enters Battersea Park
- 23:27 - He then crosses back over Chelsea Bridge towards the north side
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