For the love OF ARCHIE
WHO|August 22, 2022
AN ENGLISH MUM SHARES HER SON'S FINAL MOMENTS AFTER LOSING THE BATTLE TO KEEP HIM ALIVE
Michael Crooks
For the love OF ARCHIE

While lawyers continued to fight over the fate of her 12-year-old son, who was then on life support at Royal London Hospital following a tragic accident, his mother, Hollie Dance, received what felt like a show of support from her boy.

"Archie held my hand - he squeezed my fingers so tight they were red," the Englishwoman told ITV's Good Morning Britain on August 2. "He hasn't been given long enough. We just want time."

On August 6, time ran out for Archie Battersbee. In an achingly sad case that gripped the UK and beyond, the "beautiful" boy died on Saturday after his life support system was removed.

Archie suffered brain damage when he participated in a disturbing online challenge, according to his mother. He had been kept alive through a ventilation machine and drug treatments, despite the fact that doctors believed the boy was most likely brain dead.

Following a lengthy legal battle, a judge ruled on August 5 that despite the wishes of his parents for the boy to remain on a life support system and be moved to a hospice, it would be unlawful to sustain Archie's life. "It's with my deepest sympathy and sadness to tell you Archie passed at 12.15 today," said single mum Dance on August 6.

This story is from the August 22, 2022 edition of WHO.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 22, 2022 edition of WHO.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.