Archie Battersbee's life support to be withdrawn Saturday morning

Archie Battersbee will have his life support withdrawn on Saturday morning (Saturday August 6), his family have been told.

The 12-year-old has been in a coma since he was found unconscious by his mother in April and is being kept alive by a combination of medical interventions, including ventilation and drug treatments. His parents have fought a long-running legal battle over the withdrawal of treatment and in recent days made bids to the High Court, Court of Appeal and European Court of Human Rights to have him transferred to a hospice to die.

A last-ditch plea to the European Court of Human Rights to intervene in the case was rejected late tonight (Friday August 5) following a High Court ruling that he must remain at Royal London Hospital. His family have been told that treatment will be withdrawn at 10am.

A spokesman with campaign group Christian Concern, which is supporting Archie’s family, told the PA news agency: “All legal routes have been exhausted. The family are devastated and are spending precious time with Archie.”

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