'Chemical assault with unknown substance' in McDonald's sees 6 rushed to hospital

Six people have been rushed to hospital after a "chemical assault" in a McDonald's saw staff attacked with an unknown substance. The horror incident unfolded on Tuesday night at the Highbridge Retail Park in Waltham Abbey, Essex, at around 5.30pm.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said "three ambulances, three hazardous area response team vehicles, a paramedic car and a rapid response vehicle were sent to Highbridge Street after reports of restaurant staff being assaulted with a chemical substance".

They said three patients were taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and three to the North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, north London.

A McDonald's spokesperson said: "We are supporting our restaurant team impacted by this incident and are assisting the Police with their ongoing enquiries."

Essex Police have launched a full investigation and are searching for four suspects described as white males who fled the scene after the incident.

In a statement, the force confirmed: "Officers have launched an investigation following an incident in Waltham Abbey yesterday evening (Tuesday 24 June) where liquid was sprayed at employees in a fast-food restaurant.

"We were called to reports of a disturbance where four suspects had gone into McDonald's on the Highbridge Industrial Estate at just after 5.30pm and squirted a substance at a number of people.

"The victims initially thought the liquid was water, but their eyes and skin started stinging and they immediately called emergency services."

Detectives are actively working to determine the nature of the substance and the motive behind the attack, which they say could have been linked to an attempted robbery.

Epping Forest and Brentwood District Commander, Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, said: "We know this incident will have been very concerning to customers and staff last night.

"We want to reassure you that we are carrying out a thorough investigation so we can establish what happened and the circumstances which led up to it.

"Luckily no-one was seriously injured, but this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Essex."

Chief Inspector Fisher added that police are conducting tests to identify the substance and appealed for any witnesses or individuals with video or dashcam footage from the surrounding car park to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Essex Police, quoting incident number 1038 of 24 June. Reports can be submitted via www.essex.police.uk/digital101 or by calling 101. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be given to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.