The family of 12-year-old Archie Battersbee will ask the Court of Appeals to reconsider a ruling that his life support can be withdrawn. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, his family has been fighting a legal battle since he was injured at home in early April. The High Court ruled on June 13 that “on the balance of probabilities,” Archie had died and authorised doctors to cease life support.
Following the injury which occured on 7 April, Archie was transferred to the Royal London Hospital, which is run by Barts Health NHS Trust. The doctors had asked to conduct a brain stem death test, but the family denied consent, which led the trust to bring a case at the High Court in London. The court ruled that the test should be administered, but specialists were unable to do so because Archie did not respond to preliminary testing. Subsequent hearings took place over the next several weeks, leading to the June 13 ruling.
It is believed to be the first time someone was declared “likely” to be dead, according to a press release from the Christian Legal Centre. “The idea that death can be declared on the balance of probability is frankly ludicrous. Life is the most precious gift that we have. This ruling sets a troubling and dark precedent,” said Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Legal Centre, in the release.
Doctors have insisted that it is “highly likely” Archie is already brain dead and that it is in his “best interests” to die by removing life support.
“I do not believe Archie has been given enough time. From the beginning I have always thought ‘why the rush?’ His heart is still beating, he has gripped my hand, and as his mother, I know he is still in there,” his mother, Hollie Dance, said in the release. “Until it’s God’s way I won’t accept he should go.”
Before his accident, Archie had expressed an interest in Catholicism. He was baptised in hospital on Easter Sunday. His mother and other family members were baptised the next day.
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