Express & Star

Victim speaks out after 'CS gas' set off in nightclub

"It is upsetting, it angers me and sometimes it scares me."

Published
Last updated
Laura Gray posted a picture online showing the injury she suffered after the 'CS gas' was left off at, right, Nu Bar in Kidderminster

A woman has spoken out after she needed hospital treatment when 'CS gas' was set off inside a nightclub.

Clubbers inside Nu Bar, in Kidderminster, were evacuated in the early hours of Saturday.

Two people were taken to hospital while 14 others were also assessed by ambulance staff at the scene.

The incident happened at around 1.30am.

A man has been released on bail by police who issued a fresh appeal for footage of the attack.

Emergency services at the scene. Picture: Peter Bowles/West Midlands Ambulance service

Police sought to gather mobile phone footage and images from revellers who had visited the venue, in New Road.

One of those to be taken to hospital for treatment was Laura Gray, aged 24, who posted pictures online showing her injury.

She said: "The atmosphere was fine. Everybody was dancing and then I just felt something spray across my chest and then it started burning.

"It escalated from there. I honestly thought someone had thrown acid.

"There were no warning signals. The majority of people had run out first and I think it was the police that worked with the staff to get everybody out."

Ms Gray was taken to Worcestershire Royal where she was given showers and a saline solution was administered.

The agency health care assistant said: "The hospital had been told by police that it was some form of CS gas or pepper spray.

Laura posted this image of the injury

"I was out with my brother and a friend when I saw my brother leave the club.

"I followed him to pick up my coat and I felt my skin burning.

"We managed to get to the other side of the road.

"I had no idea what it was I thought it was acid because of how much it was burning.

"It is upsetting, it angers me and sometimes it scares me to know that somebody has the mind to do it."

A 29-year-old man from Kidderminster was arrested on suspicion of possession a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid or gas, and assault.

He has been bailed until the end of April while investigations continue.

Detective Constable Tom Pritchard said: "We are keen to ensure we have spoken to everyone who was in the bar, or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the surrounding area.

"We're also aware that there is video footage of the incident.

"If anyone has any footage or photos we've not seen then we'd also like to hear from them."

Anyone with information can call 101 and quote incident 64s of 31 March 2018.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.