The parents of a 12-year-old boy in a “comatose state” and considered “brain-stem dead” by doctors want a High Court judge to consider evidence for a third time. Archie Battersbee suffered “catastrophic” brain damage in an accident at home in April, and has not regained consciousness.
Despite an appeal by Archie’s parents, High Court judge Mr Justice Hayden last week delivered a ruling allowing doctors to lawfully end the boy’s life-support treatment. Doctors at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, say continued treatment is not in his best interests.
After reviewing evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London, Mr Justice Hayden said medical evidence was “compelling and unanimous,” and painted a “bleak” picture. Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, of Southend, Essex, have now mounted a further appeal for their son, overseen by three Court of Appeal judges at a hearing in London.
