A father-of-seven - described by his wife as her "big teddy" - is still in a coma almost two weeks after a mystery road rage attack.

Wayne Morton, of Clover Court, South Willesborough, was driving his van in the early hours when he got into an argument with two other men.

That is all his family have been told and, - as the 38-year-old remains stable but unconscious in London's King's College Hospital - his wife Kelly and mother-in-law Sue Goodwin have described the shock, devastation and helplessness they have been feeling every day since he was attacked.

Mrs Morton, 36, the mother of his youngest children Leland, two, and 11-month-old Declan, said: "Wayne is a lovely person, really fun and loving. He's like a big teddy bear really.

"I was so shocked when the police told me he was in hospital. It's driving me mad not knowing what went on that morning. We've not heard anything - we're in the dark.

"I'm coping during the day for the kids, but when they're in bed it's different. The older children all understand and are obviously upset.

"Every time Leland hears a car horn outside he says: 'Daddy?' We just tell him Daddy's asleep at the moment, but then he asks us to wake him up. What can you say to that?

"We're not sure when the hospital are going to bring him round, it depends how he's coping. We won't know much about how he'll be affected until he actually wakes up, but he will have permanent damage to his lungs.

"I’ve been going up to visit him when I can, when I can get someone to have the kids."

The pair only married in December after meeting four years ago through online dating and Mr Morton moved from Leicestershire to Ashford to be with his new love.

They were looking forward to going on holiday to Blackpool with friends this summer, but even if Mr Morton wakes up soon he will be too ill to go.

Mr Morton has two children from a previous relationship and Mrs Morton's three older children are now her husband's step-children.

The youngsters are all aged between 11 months and 17 years and Mrs Morton's children have not been to visit her husband in hospital as she does not want them to see him in his condition.

Mr Morton is a car valeter by trade, although he was not employed when he was attacked. His wife said he loves looking at cars and talking about them.

Mrs Goodwin, 57, of Beaver Lane, South Ashford, said: "They’re a happy, loving family.

"Kelly is staying strong for the children, but when they go to bed that's when she falls apart. She's holding her head up, but she's literally falling apart and I mean that.

"I take her out and try to take her mind off it, but at the end of the day she's alone. Whoever did this doesn't know what they've done to a family.

"We want help badly. We just want to know who did this and why."

Mr Morton was on his way back from a friend's house at just after 5am on Friday, July 4 when police say he got into an argument with two men in a silver Vauxhall Vectra on a roundabout in Violet Way, Kingsnorth.

Police have so far not made any arrests and not provided a description of the men they are seeking.

Anyone with information should phone police on 101, quoting reference 04-181.

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