Archie Battersbee, 12, was pronounced brain dead after collapsing in his house and has been in a coma in hospital for the past few weeks. Doctors can now stop providing this life-sustaining treatment after reviewing evidence showing that the therapy is not in his best interest.
The London hearing was told that the damage to Archie’s brain has “deprived him of any physical autonomy”.
Justice Hayden said: “Archie’s mother described him as a fighter and I have no doubt that he was…
“The damage to his brain has deprived him of any physical autonomy. Eventually Archie’s organs will fail and eventually his heart will stop.
“The medical evidence shows that there is no improvement for Archie. Unfortunately, there is no treatment available to reverse the damage to Archie’s brain.
“There can be no hope of recovery at all.”
But parents Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, both in court today with other members of the family, have always said their son would want to fight to the end. Mirror online reports.
The family, from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, have contested medical advice from Barts Health NHS Trust.
And today, a lawyer representing Archie’s parents has indicated that they will try to challenge Judge Hayden’s ruling.
The youngster suffered a “devastating” brain injury at home on April 7.
His mother previously said he may have been part of the dangerous ‘blackout’ social media craze, where people choke themselves until they pass out.
Archie’s parents want his livelihood to continue in case he miraculously recovers.
The Court of Appeals had previously been told that Archie and his mother had a brief conversation a year or two ago in which he said he would like to stay alive if he ever found himself in such a situation.
He is said to have told his mother, “I wouldn’t care, I wouldn’t feel anything.”