The victim of an "acid attack" in Surbiton who was left blind after a corrosive substance was sprayed into his car has issued a warning to everyone to "never open their car window if a stranger encourages them to."

Spencer Gymer said that he was driving through Surbiton when he was approached by a motorcyclist wearing a balaclava underneath his helmet, who proceeded to “scream at him” on the driver’s side of his car.

He was waiting at the traffic lights at the junction of Brighton Road and Portsmouth Road on January 19 at around 4.05pm when the stranger began coercing him to open the car window.

Despite Spencer’s attempts to de-escalate the situation by explaining he was on a hands-free phone call, he claims the attacker persisted.

Spencer told Your Local Guardian: “I opened my window by about an inch and I said 'look, buddy I don't know what your problem is, but I have not got a problem with you. I'm not talking to you. I'm on my phone' and he said 'I can't hear you. I've got earphones in. Open your window'.

“When I opened my window, he instantly produced a water bottle with a sports lid - like a nozzle.

“He then proceeded to squeeze the whole bottle directly into my face and my upper body.

“I was instantly paralyzed and blinded. I inhaled and ingested the solution. All the insides of my mouth blistered.

“I honestly thought I was going to die. I couldn't breathe. As far as I was concerned, my life was over.”

Spencer stressed the need for public awareness regarding the dangers of acid and corrosive substance attacks on the streets – hoping that this never happens to anyone else as the aftermath has been incredibly difficult and a “game changer” in his life.

He urged the public never to open car windows when approached by strangers and shared concerns that such attacks may be linked to gang initiations.

Spencer said: “My message to you all is never open your car window if someone pulls up next to you screaming at your car. I don’t want this to ever happen to anyone else.”

Emergency services, including the fire brigade, arrived promptly, administering aid and transporting him to Kingston for extensive treatment.

He underwent ten hours of continuous water irrigation to flush out the corrosive substance – which Spencer believes to be neat ammonia.

We are awaiting on confirmation from police on the specific substance that was used.

During the incident, Spencer expressed gratitude to the individuals who came to his aid, especially a lady who assisted with the emergency call and a man from Laithwaites who provided copious amounts of water, potentially saving some of his right eyesight.

Spencer now awaiting updates on his right eye's condition.

No arrests have been made, and the police are appealing for information, witnesses, or dashcam footage.

The attack occurred during the school run, and while a car seat was visible from the car, fortunately, his son was not present.

Spencer said: “When police got to the scene and they saw that car seat in the back of my car, that's when they realized just how serious this was because it was four in the afternoon and there were parents with kids in their cars in the school run traffic jam.”

A spokesperson for Kingston Police said: “#APPEAL for witnesses “Police were called at around 16:10hrs on Friday, 19 January, to reports of a man sprayed with a liquid substance at the junction of Brighton Road and Portsmouth Road in Surbiton.

“Officers attended along with LAS and LFB. The man was taken to hospital and has been discharged.

“There has been no arrest at this stage.

“We are pleased that the man has been discharged from hospital following treatment and detectives from the Met’s South West CID are investigating.

“Their investigation will utilise all available tactics, including analysis of CCTV and of the liquid, which initial tests indicate is a less harmful substance than ammonia.

“Any witnesses or anyone with information or dashcam footage is asked to call 101, ref CAD 4727/20jan, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers.”