People in the North East have paid tribute to 'beautiful' Archie Battersbee who sadly died in hospital after weeks of legal battles.
The 12-year-old had been in a coma since he was found unconscious by his mother Hollie Dance in April and was being kept alive by a combination of medical interventions, including ventilation and drug treatments. Doctors treating the schoolboy for the last four months declared Archie to be “brain-stem dead”, prompting a lengthy but ultimately failed legal battle by his family to continue his life support treatment in the hope he would recover.
In recent days Archie's parents had also made bids to the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the European Court of Human Rights to have him transferred to a hospice to die. However, in a High Court ruling on Friday morning, Mrs Justice Theis concluded it was not in Archie’s best interests to be moved to a hospice and the Court of Appeal rejected permission to appeal against that decision.
READ MORE: ‘Beautiful little boy’ Archie Battersbee dies in hospital, mother announces
Archie's mum Ms Dance confirmed that her “beautiful little boy” had sadly died at 12.15pm today. Speaking outside the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, Ms Dance said the hospital had made it clear there were no more options and that life support would be withdrawn at 10am today.
Now readers commenting on Chronicle Live's Facebook page have paid tribute to Archie and passed on their condolences to his family at this devastating time.
Ann Tunmore said: "My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. So tragic to lose this beautiful son. l think that you have been so courageous as a family to fight as a family would do to give your son the dignity he deserved."
Susan Scurfield commented: "Sad day. Archie, your family fought so hard. You will be the brightest star in the sky tonight. Fly high little man."
Lynda Leonard Carr added: "Fly high little man, your mam fought so hard for you." Lynn Appleby commented: "Fly high beautiful Archie. May you RIP young man. Absolutely heartbreaking."
Rob Jackson wrote: "RIP bonny lad." Nicole Lloyd said: "Fly high with the angels Archie."
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