In the early hours of this morning (April 27) Alfie Evans passed away after a heroic fight for life since his life-support machine was turned off earlier this week.
Despite Alfie being turned off life-support on Monday, he miraculously defied the odds and kept fighting for five days.
After being taken to hospital for treatment of his chest infection, Alfie began having severe epileptic seizures and was diagnosed with bronchitis, the common cold, a chest infection, RSV [respiratory syncytial virus], pneumonia and two other illnesses which left him exhausted.
GettyThe President of Italy granted Alfie immediate citizenship last week to allow the 23-month-old to have further treatment in the country, however it was ruled out in court as the judge claimed any further treatment would be ‘unkind and inhumane’.
Now, Alfie’s father Tom has released a statement about his son’s tragic death.
The statement reads:
My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings at 02:30, absolutely heartbroken. I LOVE YOU MY GUY.
Gemma Lowery, Bradley Lowery’s mother, also posted a tribute to Alfie, writing:
So sad to hear about the beautiful Alfie Evens I’m sending all my love to Alfie’s parents, they did everything they could for their little boy. RIP sweetheart, fly high with them angels and go have some fun with my baby boy.
So sad to hear about the beautiful Alfie Evens I’m sending all my love to Alfie’s parents, they did everything they…
Posted by The Bradley Lowery Foundation on Friday, 27 April 2018
Bradley sadly passed away in July last year after a long battle against a rare form of cancer known as neuroblastoma.
In the aftermath of Bradley’s death, thousands of people lined the streets of Blackhall in County Durham to say their final goodbyes to Bradley Lowery.
Premier League star and Bradley’s best friend Jermain Defoe wore an England shirt while thousands of others came out to pay their respects to the six-year-old.
Mourners were dressed as superheroes and hundreds turned out in football shirts to honour the brave little lad’s life.
GettyAt the beginning of 2017, Alfie’s parents were told he would only have hours to live, but he defied all expectations and fought off three infections.
Despite ‘coming off life support three times’ and managing to take breaths here and there, the parents claimed doctors at Alder Hay Hospital suggested it was best to switch off Alfie’s life support machine.
In a Facebook post made at the time, Tom wrote:
Doctors tried pushing us into turning off his life-support machine, but we refused then and always will.
We stayed with him all day and night, sang to him, loved him, kissed him, hugged him and begged him to stay! From that day he has fought and is still here.
He has continually defied all odds, and proven Drs and nurses wrong about him surviving and is still fighting! We still get asked by doctors removing his life-support machine but he can fight, and he does so come of it in his own time.
SaveAlfie/FacebookOur thoughts go out to the parents of Alfie Evans, Bradley Lowery, and all those who are taken from us too soon.
Rest in peace.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
