Archie Battersbee’s dad ‘suffers heart attack or stroke’ but judges still rule son’s life support CAN be switched off
THE father of a 12-year-old boy in a coma was rushed to hospital shortly before judges ruled his son’s life support can be switched off.
Paul Battersbee, who is in his 50s, is feared to have had “a heart attack or stroke” while waiting on a decision about his son Archie.
Archie Battersbee suffered “catastrophic” brain damage in April and has not regained consciousness since.
He is thought to have been taking part in a social media challenge at his home in Southend, Essex, in April when tragedy struck.
Earlier this month, a High Court judge agreed with doctors at the Royal London Hospital that further treatment was “futile” and said Archie’s life support should end.
His parents Hollie Dance and Paul – who are separated – launched an appeal, but today lost their bid to overrule the judge’s decision in a devastating blow.
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Shortly before the appeal concluded, a lawyer representing the family told the judges Archie’s dad was taken ill outside court.
Paul, who is in his 50s, may have suffered a heart attack or a stroke.
Archie’s mum also claimed she had seen indications that her son – who is attached to a ventilator – had twice tried to breathe for himself in the last few days.
The family’s lawyer asked judges to delay their ruling but their request was refused.
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Archie has shown no “discernible” brain activity since the tragic accident, judge Mr Justice Hayden earlier ruled.
Hollie and Paul claimed the decision had “errors” and wanted another judge to look at the case.
Their legal team said Mr Justice Hayden had not given “real or proper weight” to Archie’s wishes and religious beliefs.
Sir Andrew McFarlane, the president of the Family Division of the High Court, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Peter Jackson handled the appeal and heard arguments about what moves are in Archie’s best interests.
They today ruled that doctors can lawfully stop providing life-support treatment to the youngster.
Sir Andrew said in the judges’ ruling that medical staff had seen “no signs of life” in Archie.
He said the case had received widespread media coverage – including a photograph of Archie taken prior to the accident.
“Archie is no longer the boy in the photograph,” said Sir Andrew.
“He is someone whose every bodily function is now maintained by artificial means.”
Archie is no longer the boy in the photograph. He is someone whose every bodily function is now maintained by artificial means
President of the Family Division of the High Court Sir Andrew McFarlane
Mr Justice Hayden described what happened to Archie as a “tragedy of immeasurable dimensions” in his ruling this month.
He said medical evidence was “compelling and unanimous” and painted a “bleak” picture.
Archie’s parents are being supported by campaign organisation the Christian Legal Centre.
Andrea Williams, its chief executive, said outside court: “I am very disappointed that they have not adjourned this decision given that Mr Battersbee has been taken to hospital.
“I’ve been in touch with Archie’s mother – she is disgusted.”
Judges heard that Hollie found Archie unconscious with a ligature over his head on April 7.
She thinks he might have been taking part in an online challenge.
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The youngster has not regained consciousness since.
Doctors treating Archie at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, think he is brain-stem dead and say continued life-support treatment is not in his best interests.