Archie Battersbee dies after life support withdrawn

In an interview with Sky News recorded on Friday, Archie’s mother Hollie Dance, from Southend, Essex, said she was “quite broken” and that the day had been “absolutely awful”.

She broke down and said, “In the past few weeks since April 7th, I don’t think there’s been a day that wasn’t really awful.”

Ms Dance added: “It was really hard. Despite the tough, strong face and appearance I’ve obviously had in front of the cameras up until now, I was pretty broken.”

Well-wishers gather in front of the hospital

They laid flowers and lit candles outside the Royal London Hospital, where the 12-year-old has been on life support for more than 100 days.

Kerry Walton, a hairdresser from Archie’s hometown of Southend, laid a bouquet at the foot of the statue of Queen Alexandra, one of the hospital’s most famous benefactors.

“I have two children, ages seven and two, and I just can’t imagine how Archie’s parents must feel,” said Ms Walton, 36. “As a mother, I can understand what Archie’s mother was trying to achieve — to buy more time for her son. If it were me, I’d try to get home from anywhere – even if it’s just a glimpse of it.”