Archie Battersbee's family lose final appeal to keep his life support on | 5 News

► The parents of 12-year-old Archie Battersbee have been dealt the final devastating blow in their fight to keep his life support on.

Today, minutes before medics were legally allowed to end his care, Archie's family lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court - looking to delay the decision until a UN commission looked at the case. But judges denied that appeal.



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[jca]

I just heard them say that the Hospital was going to "Execute" Archie. They need to stop this rhetoric!

The doctors, whilst you may disagree, are not doing this to kill him. The boy is already dead unfortunately. End of life withdraw of treatment often happens, and needs to happen. You have exhausted all legal avenues, many doctors have said it's right. The courts have said it's right. It's time to let go and grieve. That's hard, but its essential for you and your family now.

[snsn]

I hope she has her private insurance or money ready to pay and never set foot in a NHS hospital again. Unbelievable. No excuses for the way she is carrying on. The whole country feels for the family but its unacceptable.

[ElementsMMA]

My heart goes out to the family, however they are not exactly covering themselves in glory by dragging this out. Anyone might think they are revelling in the attention. That poor child is unnecessarily suffering, and the cost to the taxpayer is becoming tremendous. As a society we must do more to protect people from themselves in situations like this.

[oiooi]

The things they are saying about the trust staff is frankly despicable, however much they are grieving. They aren't "executing him because of a disability." The poor boy is dead and his remains are being artificially maintained.

[olgawyn]

The mother will be remembered for saying the nurses have gone on holiday and come back with suntanns, rather than looking after her son which is selfish as they work very hard.

[Scampi]

The state of that family! After listening to them, it appears they don't have the intelligence to understand what the doctors and everyone else are saying to them. The media should stop giving this family any attention and they should all be charged with intentionally causing the prolonged suffering of a child.

[_mklein]

Must be hard for a parent but let the kid stop suffering and free the hospital bed to save another life…

[carolineplant]

her words are so wrong .i feel for her as a mum but saying they are executing my son is wrong, to say reform needs to happen is wrong saying other country's have more is wrong yes they do but only if you are paying for it, the nhs has done everything they can and made their decision, i totally understand as parent she is doing her best, the courts have made their decision, to give the parents a choice and say the courts should have said the parents pay for the life support if they want to keep him on life support

[bledbacklife]

Let's address the elephant in the room.
Archie was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck.
His family claim he had partaken in a dangerous online challenge.
This is unconfirmed - we only have the family's word to go by.
Sounds more like Archie tried to take his own life: the family refuse to accept this, are overwhelmed with guilt/regret, and are now blaming everyone/everything else - TikTok, the hospital staff, and the courts - for failing him.
Archie was failed by his parents.
That's why they swiftly converted to Christianity after finding Archie unconscious. They are trying to process - and diminish - their guilt.
If they are truly Christian, they ought to take comfort in the fact that Archie is now in a better place. Why hold onto his soul in a rotting, mortal body in this world? What - and whose - purpose does this serve?
There are plenty of inconsistencies, contradictions, and ambiguities in the family's account of the situation over the months, which suggests they are hiding something and/or incapable of facing reality: that Archie already died 4 months ago.
If they truly want Archie to have a dignified passing, just let him go already.
Moreover, their undignified behavior - intemperate comments about the hospital staff who have worked tirelessly around the clock on what is essentially a lost cause, and accusing judges applying the law of being executioners - is utterly reprehensible and ultimately selfish.

[UnkownUser]

He’s dead, he’s been dead, he won’t get better, then best thing is to let him go. It may seem sad to the family but the kid is gone and isn’t coming back. As bad as it sounds, the family are being selfish

[blueberrymuff]

She's dragged the hospital staff through the mud for no reason other than a refusal to accept science. Let the boy have some dignity.

[Ksbabyg]

If the family is “paying” for this and not from taxpayers’ money, the family will not hesitate that it’s practical to stop the machine that’s keeping him alive!!!

[snsn]

The family need to concentrate on being at his bedside for his final moments not on telly.

[SKwythy]

Mums too busy spending the funds raised on Balenciaga hoodies. Only reason she’s prolonging this is for her 15mins. Poor Archie RIP 💙

[FH-wiek]

These people are so selfish. Overwhelmed with guilt you make terrible decisions. They want to be the parents they never were

[lindaalton]

How a parent or member without medical training can dispute the opinions of doctors and specialist judges is the most disturbing part of this sad case. The family will need to mourn the passing of Archie and come to terms with the causes. They have severly damaged their ability to process this dreadful emotion without always returning to " the blame game". They should have been receiving grief councelling from a very early stage for them to be able to accept the facts and consequences of this tragedy. I hope they will be able, with long term help, to remember Archie and all the happiness he brought them in his short life. I also hope that they are able to help other young people to avoid the pressure to join in these dangerous activities and thereby ensure Archie is never forgotten and no other family has to suffer a similar loss.

[kathybarry]

This kid has done this to himself. Is that right?

[garyz]

He was dead 4 months ago. His mother just looking for her limelight. Don't be fooled in thinking she won't make any money out of this.It's disgraceful! Rest in piece Archie.

[mydogeatspuke]

Death is not a disability. This level of stupid could be argued to be, though. Crying out loud.

[vivaciousariescavalier]

I think the parents initially went public to warn other youngsters of the danger of doing stunts but ended up turning it into a media circus.
Perhaps to claim compensation for hurt feelings; stress or whatever their legal team come up with.