Archie Battersby dies after parents lose legal battle over life support | Children

A 12-year-old boy, Archie Batterbee, fought a lengthy legal battle to stop his parents from having his life support machine removed, his mother said.

Speaking outside the Royal London Hospital, Holy Dance said he “fought to the end”.

She tearfully said: I want to say that I am the proudest mom in the world.

“He was such a beautiful little boy. He fought to the end and I am so proud to be his mother.”

Ella Carter, a relative of the family, said it was “barbaric” to watch the boy die.

“His stats were perfectly stable for two hours until the ventilation was completely removed and he turned completely blue,” she said.

“There is no dignity in watching a family member or a child suffocate to death. No family should have to go through what we have gone through. It is barbaric.”

Supporters of the family came to the hospital Saturday morning with flowers and created a tribute to Archie with a candle in the shape of the letter A in front of the hospital.

Sherry Elias, 43, a mother of two from Stepney, east London, said she vaguely knew Archie’s mother and brought flowers, a card and some candles. she said:

“I wanted moms and their families to know that I am here for them. My son is 12, the same age as Archie.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Center, which has assisted families with litigation, said:

“We will continue to support the family as we have always been since they came to us after last minute legal proceedings were issued to remove Archie from life support.

“We are grateful for the widespread public support of Archie and his family. We are honored to stand alongside them.”

Dance and Archie’s father, Paul Batterby, recently petitioned the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to transfer him to hospice to die.

a Last petition to ECHR He was refused to intervene late Friday following a High Court ruling that he must remain at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.

Archie, a talented gymnast and mixed martial arts enthusiast, has been in a coma since suffering a devastating brain injury on April 7. His mother, who has been by his bedside almost constantly since then. believes it was caused by him choking while participating in a viral social media challenge.

Doctors said Archie had a dead brainstem, but his parents wanted him to stay on life support.

Last month, a High Court judge praised Archie for having an “infectious zest for life.” decided it was “futile” to continue treating him.

In an interview with Sky News recorded on Friday, Dance of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, said the hospital had no further options and life support would be turned off at 10am Saturday.

Dance said:

“It was really hard,” she added. “Despite having a decidedly stiff, strong face and appearance in front of the camera so far, I was pretty broken.”

When asked if there was anything else she could do, she replied: I did everything I promised her son. And I did it. ”

In a statement, the Barts Health NHS Trust said Archie’s “tragic incident has not only affected the family and his caregivers, but has touched the hearts of many across the country.”

Alistair Chesser, Chief Medical Officer of The Trust said: Members of his family are at his bedside and our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with them during this difficult time.

“The Trust would like to thank the medical, nursing and support staff at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for looking after Archie after a terrible accident. Providing quality care with exceptional compassion for months, this tragic incident has not only affected the family and his caregivers, but has touched the hearts of many across the country. I moved.”