Court backs test to determine if boy is alive

A High Court judge has ruled that a 12-year-old boy who has not regained consciousness after suffering “catastrophic” brain damage in an incident at home more than a month ago should undergo a test so doctors can try to establish whether he is dead.

Specialists treating Archie Battersbee, of Southend, Essex, think it “highly likely” that the youngster is dead, and say life-support treatment should stop.

Mrs Justice Arbuthnot made a ruling after considering the latest stage of Archie’s case at a private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court yesterday.