The family of a teenager left in intensive care by a punch so hard she flew through the air have revealed she may never be the same again after suffering a brain bleed.
Poppy Owen, 19, was enjoying a night out with friends in Basildon, Essex, when her sister says she was ‘sent flying’ and beaten unconscious by a man.
Essex Police confirmed that a man was arrested and has since been released on bail until November.
Poppy’s older sister Bobbie-Jo Owen, 23, called the attack ‘diabolical’ as she said: ‘It is petrifying, the state she has been left in. We don’t know how this could have an impact on her future, which is just mortifying.’
She added that her sister stopped breathing after the attack and was given CPR by her colleagues who were also outside The Loft in Southernhay.
Poppy Owen, 18, was enjoying a night out in Basildon, Essex, when friends say she was sent flying and beaten unconscious by a man
Poppy’s older sister Bobbie-Jo Owen (pictured), 23, called the attack ‘diabolical’, adding: ‘It is petrifying, the state she has been left in’
Since the incident in the early hours of August 11, Poppy has been receiving specialist treatment including physio and speech therapy every day.
The teenager cannot remember the details of her attack, and could not talk at all the day afterwards, Bobbie-Jo said.
She explained to The Echo: ‘Poppy is in intensive care and is having regular CT scans to monitor the progress of her brain. She has a bleed in the brain and severe bruising to her brain.
‘Even the way she is speaking means she is getting confused with her words.’
Friends and family sent their best to Bobbie-Jo on social media after she shared the story of her sister.
Leah Eden wrote on Facebook: ‘I’m so sorry this happened to her, thinking of you all and sending all of our love. Praying she recovers fast and has no lasting damage.’
One of Poppy’s colleagues, Jennifer Dourado, commented: ‘Absolutely gutted by this news poppy is so loved at work and I wish her a safe and speedy recovery.’
While the 22-year-old who was arrested is on bail, police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
Poppy was knocked out cold outside The Loft in Southernhay, where she was given CPR until an ambulance arrived
A spokesperson said: ‘A man has been arrested following an assault in Basildon.
‘We received a call shortly before 2.10am on August 11 reporting a 18-year-old woman had been knocked unconscious in Southernhay.
‘A 22-year-old man from Basildon was arrested on suspicion of GBH without intent, ABH, and common assault.
‘He has since been released on bail until November 5.
‘If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.’
They added that anyone with information should quote the crime reference number 42/122481/24.
MailOnline have contacted The Loft, Basildon, for comment.
