Delirious, he found himself wandering the streets of Paris having imaginary conversations with his elderly parents who in reality were sitting at home in their conservatory having a cuppa.

Drunken Englishman

Taking him for a drunken Englishman (shame on them!!!), the French Police promptly arrested him.

Back at the cop shop they quickly realised he wasn't under the influence at all.

But as he was still delirious and talking complete rubbish they leapt to the next obvious conclusion - he was insane.

So they dropped him off at the nearest asylum.

In reality he had suffered an attack of epilepsy - his first ever.

Hot Tips and Info

Within Europe check you have your E111 form

Contact the local British Embasy

Get online - www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Download application form for an E111 (CM1), with instructions (PDF, 126K)

Download E111 form, with instructions (PDF, 56K)
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland

Print on WHITE paper

Surname, Forenames, Date of Birth, NHS or National Insurance Number

Date of Completion and Travel

Have them stamped and signed at a Post Office

A few days later, after being diagnosed as suffering from the milder form of the illness - Petit Mal, as opposed to Grand Mal - he was transferred to a medical hospital.

Free Treatment

Under the reciprocal health arrangements with France, his emergency treatment was free.

He was able to give details of his nearest of kin in the UK - his sister, because he didn't want to alarm his elderly parents - who were in turn contacted by the British Embassy.

When she heard what happened she told the embassy official that she'd be on the next plane over and bring him back home at her own expense.

The British Embassy official was gobsmacked by her reaction.

"Most relatives don't bother," he said. "They generally leave 'em to it!"