Woman suffers 'life changing' injuries after acid attack on her 21st birthday

  • London
Resham Khan and her cousin had acid thrown at them through a car window Credit: Resham Khan

A woman suffered 'life changing' burns after she had acid thrown at her while out celebrating her 21st birthday.

Resham Khan was left with damage to one eye and extensive burns after being attacked as she drove through Beckton, east London, with her cousin Jameel on Wednesday morning.

A man ran up and threw acid at both Ms Khan and her cousin through the open car window as they stopped at traffic lights.

He then chased the pair as they tried to drive off but lost control of the car and crashed into a fence.

Ms Khan told ITV News how she begged for water after as she struggled in "excruciating" agony.

Ms Khan and her cousin had acid thrown at them through a car window Credit: Resham Khan
'I keep wondering if my life will ever be the same' she told ITV News. Credit: Go Fund Me / Daniel Mann

Passers by helped the pair get to a nearby hospital before the ambulance or police arrived. They have since been transferred to a specialist burns unit, but police say their injuries are 'life changing'.

The suspect ran off after the attack and has not been caught.

Ms Khan, who had been due to start a new job, needed skin grafts on her face and burns across the whole of her body.

Her cousin suffered such serious burns he had to be put into an induced coma.

"I'm devastated," she said.

"I keep wondering if my life will ever be the same. I feel as though I'm blessed to have my limbs and senses. But I loved my face and body."

Ms Khan says she hopes her attacker will be caught by police. Credit: Go Fund Me / Daniel Mann

Friends have started an online fundraising page to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

Daniel Mann, who set up the GoFundMe page, said on the day of the attack Ms Khan had been looking forward to a day spa with her mother and had also been due to start a new job.

"This attack has caused them both to put their lives on hold," said Mr Mann.

"Resham is usually a very confident young woman. She was preparing to open her own business over the summer, and had plans to model for Asian bridal, make up and hair artists. But now she feels as though her identity has been stolen from her, on her 21st birthday."

Meanwhile Ms Khan says she is hoping that her attacker will be found and brought to justice.

"I just want this guy caught," she said.

"I keep asking myself why he hasn't. Keep wondering why this is taking so long. Have they forgotten about us?"