Novichok survivor Charlie Rowley 'in hospital after going blind'

Charlie Rowley fell ill in June following exposure to the nerve agent Novichok
AFP/Getty Images
James Morris20 August 2018

Novichok survivor Charlie Rowley has been rushed to hospital after going temporarily blind, according to reports.

Mr Rowley, 45, was rushed to Salisbury General Hospital on Saturday, the Sun reported.

However, it is not believed his illness is related to his exposure to the nerve agent in June.

Mr Rowley and his girlfriend, Dawn Sturgess, were poisoned with the same nerve agent used in the attack on former Russian spySergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

Ms Sturgess died on July 8 after the pair were found unconscious on June 30 at Mr Rowley's home in Amesbury.

Mr Rowley described Dawn Sturgess as a 'lovely lady with a big heart'
AFP/Getty Images

Mr Rowley's brother Matthew, 47, told the newspaper: "I have spoken to him and he went temporarily blind and couldn't see anything."

Last month, Mr Rowley told how the Novichok took just 15 minutes to poison Ms Sturgess after she sprayed it on her wrists, believing it was expensive perfume.

Mr Rowley said he may have had the bottle in his home for a couple of days before giving it to his 44-year-old partner as a present.

Mr Rowley spilt some of the contents on his hands and washed it off, possibly sparing him from the fate of Ms Sturgess.

"It was just so unfortunate,” he said in an interview last month. “I'm very angry at the whole incident.”

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