The morning began like any other for Louie Watkins, a 23-year-old trainee engineer, as he drove away from his girlfriend’s house. But a familiar, terrifying sensation quickly overwhelmed him – the warning signs of an epileptic seizure. He fought to maintain control, a desperate battle against his own body, as his car began to drift across the road.
Then, darkness. He awoke to the jarring reality of a mangled vehicle, his car embedded in a tree. Disoriented and vulnerable, he wasn’t alone. A man, consumed by fury, was relentlessly attacking his car, pounding on the windows and desperately trying to wrench open the doors.
“Open the f door!” the man screamed, his voice laced with rage. Louie, clinging to the gearstick and door handle, struggled to prevent the stranger from gaining entry, his mind still clouded from the seizure. He desperately tried to reach his father, but the attacker overpowered him, yanking open the driver’s side door and pulling him from the wreckage.
The situation escalated into a brutal assault. Louie, explaining his recent seizure, found himself helpless on the ground, shielding his face as the man rained down punches and kicks. He remembers the sickening impact of boots connecting with his ribs, a wave of pain washing over him.
Suddenly, the scene transformed into a chaotic swirl of flashing blue lights. Police had arrived, sealing off the road. The attacker stood across the street, while his wife offered apologies to Louie’s family, who had rushed to the scene. The world felt surreal, a terrifying aftermath of a medical emergency turned violent.
Louie was immediately transported to Medway Maritime Hospital, where he underwent a CT scan to rule out internal injuries. Thankfully, the scan came back clear, but the trauma was undeniable. Doctors advised him to take two weeks off work, to rest and recover from the physical and emotional ordeal.
A registered disabled motorist, Louie had diligently followed all legal requirements, waiting a full year seizure-free before passing his driving test last year. The DVLA was fully aware of his medical condition, adding another layer of frustration to the senseless attack. His last seizure had been 18 months prior, making this incident all the more unexpected and frightening.
Police confirmed responding to the incident on New Barn Road near Northfleet. A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm and has since been released on conditional bail while the investigation continues. Authorities are appealing for witnesses and any available dashcam footage.
Louie’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability faced by individuals with medical conditions and the potential for unpredictable, violent reactions from others. The road to recovery will be long, but he hopes his story will raise awareness and encourage compassion.
