Archie Battersbee’s Life Support to End Wednesday After Supreme Court Defeat
Life support for Archie Battersbee will be switched off at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The heartbreaking decision comes after Archie’s family lost their final Supreme Court battle to keep him on treatment.
The young boy has been in a coma since April 7, following catastrophic brain damage after being found unconscious at home with a ligature around his head. His mother, Hollie Dance, believes Archie was involved in a dangerous online challenge.
Family’s Last-Ditch Plea Rejected by Supreme Court
On Tuesday, the family asked the Supreme Court to extend life support beyond midday to allow the United Nations to review the case. But three justices refused, saying the Court of Appeal had made the right call.
“We cannot move Archie to a hospice,” said Ms Dance. “The hospital demands any European Court of Human Rights application be submitted by 9 a.m., leaving us no time to prepare. They even want a copy which they have no right to see. If this doesn’t happen, treatment will be withdrawn at 11 a.m. tomorrow. It’s heinous and appalling.”
Hospital to Withdraw Treatment Amid Court Orders
Barts Health NHS Trust, where Archie is being cared for at the Royal London Hospital, confirmed they will begin withdrawing treatment as ordered by the courts.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to Archie’s family,” said Alistair Chesser, chief medical officer. “We will work with them to prepare for withdrawal and support them through this difficult time.”
Family Vows to Fight to the Bitter End
The Battersbee family, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, condemned the lack of compassion from authorities other than the UN.
“No one but the UN has shown any compassion,” the family said. “We will fight to the bitter end. Archie wouldn’t want this. They’re not just taking a child from us—they’re destroying our entire family. This isn’t right. Something needs to change.”
The case has drawn national attention after judges ruled that Archie’s brain damage leaves no hope of recovery. Despite the family’s claims of improvement, medical experts say any recovery is impossible.
Supreme Court’s Final Word
The panel, including Lord Hodge, Lord Kitchin, and Lord Stephens, expressed sympathy but said the key issue was not recovery, but the timing and manner of Archie’s death.
“There is no prospect of meaningful recovery. Even with continued treatment, Archie would die within weeks due to organ and heart failure,” the judges said.
They acknowledged Archie’s close relationship with his mother and religious beliefs but upheld that continuing treatment was unlawful. The court denied further appeals and refused to delay treatment withdrawal while the UN considers the case.
