Emmerdale fans have been left traumatised tonight by distressing scenes that saw Ross Barton fall victim to a dreadful acid attack.
The intended target was actually Joe Tate, but the assailant Simon – put up to it by Debbie Dingle – mistook Ross for him, after he pinched the shady businessman’s car.
At the end of the soap’s first episode, Ross was set upon in the dark as acid was thrown into his face – he fell to the ground, writhing in agony.
Ironically it was Joe and Graham who came to his rescue as they came looking for the stolen vehicle.
Graham took control and ordered Joe to get clean water to hose over Ross, who was writhing in agony on the ground.
Later, at the hospital, Pete could scarcely bear to look at his brother’s injuries.
Meanwhile, Debbie was beside herself when she heard about the attack, fearing that Simon had gone for Ross in a case of mistaken identity.
The harrowing storyline has been criticised by some viewers, who felt it inappropriate for the time slot…
Others acknowledged that, although it was a difficult watch, it IS an important story to cover…
Doctors warned Ross that he will need to undergo a jet wash to dilute the acid – and refused to give him assurance that one day he would look how he always has.
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