Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Coma victim can be allowed to die

Friday 14 January 1994 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE Court of Appeal yesterday agreed that a doctor treating a 24-year-old man with severe, permanent brain damage could allow him to die.

Three judges unanimously ruled that the decision over the patient, who had been in a 'vegetative' state for two-and-a-half years since taking a drugs overdose, had been properly taken.

Sir Thomas Bingham, the Master of the Rolls, sitting with Lord Justices Waite and Gibson, said the patient, 'S', had been diagnosed in Bristol as suffering from an irreversible persistent vegetative state and should be allowed to die.

The judges rejected an appeal by the Official Solicitor, Peter Harris, acting on behalf of patient S, against Thursday's legal sanctioning of the decision not to reconnect him to a feeding tube after it became disconnected accidentally on Monday. Mr Harris later said he would not appeal.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in