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Parent’s nightmare: Archie Battersbee withdrawn from life support, following legal battle
12-year-old Archie Battersbee had his life support turned off, following a controversial legal battle
Archie was found unconscious in his home, on April 7, with a bandage over his head. Some reports suggest the 12-year-old was taking part in a viral challenge that went horribly wrong.
Archie’s treatment was withdrawn in The Royal London Hospital, with his parents by his side as he took his final breaths.
His mother says he fought until the end.
“He was taken off medication at 10am, his stats remained stable until two hours later…
I would just like to say I am the proudest mum in the world… He was such a beautiful little boy. He fought right until the very end and I am so proud to be his mum.”
hollie dance, archie’s mother
Initially, Archie’s heartbroken parents Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee sought legal action to keep him alive. However, after four months in a coma, doctors at the Royal London Hospital confirmed Archie was ‘brain-stem dead’ with no chance of recovery.
After learning Archie’s fate, his parent’s pleaded with the High Court, Court of Appeal and European Court of Human Rights to have the right to choose where he takes his final breath.
They insisted on moving Archie to a hospice. However, Mrs Justice Theis from the High Court, rejected their appeal.
Life support was withdrawn at 10 am on Saturday local time and Archie passed away at 12:15 pm. He took his final breaths with his heartbroken family at his side.
