No evidence of social media challenge leading to Archie Battersbee's death, coroner says
A coroner has said he has seen no evidence that Archie Battersbee was taking part in an online challenge when he fatally injured himself.
Archie, 12, from Southend, died when his life support was withdrawn following his parents' legal battle with the NHS hospital treating him.A pre-inquest review heard Essex Police had found messages on his phone reflecting a "very low mood".In April, Hollie Dance found her son unconscious at home and he spent most of the next four months being treated at the Royal London Hospital in east London, run by Barts NHS Health Trust.
Ms Dance had contacted Essex Police as she was "concerned there was an online challenge going round and other young people could be at risk", the hearing heard.She said there was no evidence of him filming any video on the day he was injured and no photographs or videos to suggest he was taking part in an online challenge.
Instead officers found YouTube and internet searches related to his interests, like mixed martial arts.