THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ARCHIE BATTERSBEE: Timeline of a family's long and desperate battle
LONDON, UK: The story of Archie Battersbee had shocked the people in Britain and around the world ever since it came to light to the public. Archie was found unconscious on April 7 with a ligature over his head by his mother Hollie Dance, suspected to be the result of a dangerous online challenge.
For 121 harrowing days, Archie had been in a deep coma, from which his family hoped he would recover. However, doctors treating him believed that it was for the best that the 12-year-old be taken off life support.
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His family tried to prevent that, beginning a long court battle, which ultimately decided that the boy must be taken off life support. Archie’s family announced he died on Saturday, August 6, ending the long, painful months for his family.
The timeline of Archie Battersbee's story
April 7
Archie is found in an unconscious state at his home in Southend, Essex by his mother, Hollie. He had a ligature wrapped around his neck. It is believed Archie was a part of a TikTok challenge.
April 26
Barts Health NHS Trust, assigned for Archie’s care at the Royal London Hospital, asks the High Court to grant permission to test his brain stem, and withdraw mechanical ventilation. Doctors believe that life-support treatment should be stopped.
May 13
High Court Judge Mrs Justice Arbuthnot allows for a brain stem test for Archie.
May 16
Two specialists attempt a nerve stimulation test on Archie but receive no response.
June 6-8
Mrs Justice Arbuthnot oversees a three-day hearing. Doctors say it is "very likely" Archie is "brain-stem dead" but his family argues his heart is still beating and want life support to continue.
June 13
Mrs Justice Arbuthnot rules out that Archie is dead and allows doctors to lawfully stop his treatment. Archie’s family says they will appeal.
June 20
Archie's mother Hollie and father Paul Battersbee are granted permission to appeal.
June 29
Three appeal judges rule that the case be given to a different High Court judge. Archie’s parents are "delighted" at the decision.
July 11
High Court judge Justice Hayden hears evidence from doctors, who say that treating Archie will only "delay the inevitable." His mom says Archie is a "natural-born fighter."
July 15
Justice Hayden gives the ruling in favor of the hospital trust. He says that the medical evidence is "compelling and unanimous," after which Archie’s parents hope to overturn the ruling in the Court of Appeal.
July 21-22
Over a two-day hearing, three of the UK’s most senior judges are told how Archie is in a "comatose state."
July 25
The three Court of Appeal judges ruled that doctors can stop providing life-support treatment. However, Archie's family reveals their plan to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
July 28
The Supreme Court say they won't intervene in Archie's case.
July 29
The family of Archie make attempt to a UN committee to step in the 12-year-old's case.
July 31
Archie's life support was due to be withdrawn on August 1 at 2 pm but it remained delayed because of a new court hearing. The government asks the Court of Appeal to "urgently consider" a request with the UN committee also evaluating the case.
August 1
The Court of Appeal rejects the proposal to delay terminating Archie’s treatment.
August 2
Archie’s parents get refused to appeal against the latest ruling at the Supreme Court. Hollie says Barts Health NHS Trust will start the process of removing Archie’s life support on August 3 at 11 am unless the family submits an application to the ECHR by 9 am that day.
August 3
The ECHR refuses the family's appeal while they plan to have Archie moved to a hospice and appeal to the High Court.
August 4
A hearing lasts late into the evening where the hospital rules that considering Archie's weak state, it wouldn't be incorrect to move the boy out of the hospital.
August 5
Mrs Justice Theis decides against moving Archie to a hospice. The High Court judge refuses the family's appeal in the decision, granting a stay on the removal of Archie’s life support until 2 pm on Friday, August 6, allowing them to go directly to the Court of Appeal.
August 6
Archie is taken off life support on 10 am and dies at 12:15 pm.
