The Supreme Court refuses an appeal by Archie’s family against the withdrawal of his treatment.
Image source, Hollie DanceArchie Battersbee’s parents have lost an appeal with the Supreme Court – on the day his life-support was due to be withdrawn.
On Monday, Court of Appeal judges ruled that the 12-year-old’s life-sustaining treatment should not continue beyond 12:00 BST on Tuesday.
His parents had lodged an application to appeal the decision with the Supreme Court.
Archie was found unconscious at home in Southend, Essex, on 7 April.
He has never regained consciousness and his mother, Hollie Dance, believes he may have been taking part in an online challenge when he suffered brain damage.
Doctors treating him have said they believe it is “highly likely” he is brain-stem dead and argued it is in his best interest for life-support to end.
A previous High Court ruling heard Archie’s “every bodily function is now maintained by artificial means”.
Image source, Hollie Dance
After making the application to the Supreme Court, Ms Dance said: “I know Archie’s still with us.
“He’s very much there, he’s progressing in so many ways.”
Archie’s care had been due to end at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, at 14:00 on Monday, but the government asked judges to consider a request from a UN committee to continue treatment.
Speaking outside the hospital, family friend Ella Carter said Archie’s family were chatting to him, playing his favourite music and videos as they awaited the Supreme Court’s decision.
President of the family division Sir Andrew McFarlane, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Moylan ordered a short delay in withdrawing life-sustaining treatments until Tuesday for Archie’s parents to consider any other applications they wish to make.
At that hearing, Sir Andrew said: “In short, his system, his organs and, ultimately, his heart are in the process of closing down.”
Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk