Alfie Evans parents launch last-ditch Supreme Court appeal to save son TODAY after court ruled he should have life support switched off

THE parents of Alfie Evans will today launch a last-ditch attempt to save their son.

Parents Kate James and Tom Evans are expected to launch a further appeal at the Supreme Court today - begging the courts to overturn the decision to switch off the 23-month-old's life support.

The family had been left heart-broken yesterday when three judges rejected their plea at a London hearing, ruling that Alfie should not be taken to Italy for potential diagnosis and treatment.

They now have a 4pm deadline today to launch an appeal with the Supreme Court, with BBC reporting that they will go ahead with their fight.

A source close to Alfie's mum and dad said: "It's the moment they have been dreading and they're inconsolable.

"They have tried everything to save their little boy's life but they are running out of options."

The Court of Appeal yesterday agreed with Alder Hey specialists that the terminally ill tot "could not be saved" and that it would be "unkind" and "futile" to continue treatment.

Alfie's parents Tom Evans, 21, and Kate James, 20, were fighting to take their son to a hospital in Rome and said they have a private jet and ambulance on standby.

They have already lost a challenge at the Court of Appeal and failed to have the decision overturned at the Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.

Lord Justice Davis, who is heading the three-strong panel of appeal judges, told lawyers that doctors had agreed that there was "no hope".

He said: "We cannot have a kind of legal 'Groundhog Day' where you come back again and again and again on the same point."

The court was also read a statement from Lord Justice Hayden’s previous ruling where he said: "The terrible reality was that almost the entirety of Alfie’s brain has been eroded, leaving only water and cerebral spinal fluid.

“Treatment is futile as experts both here and abroad agree. Alfie will never make any developmental progress."

Alfie, born on May 9, 2016, is in a "semi-vegetative state" and has a degenerative neurological condition doctors have not definitively diagnosed.

Lord Justice Moylan said in cases such as Alfie's, the child is represented by an independent guardian.

Alfie's guardian has agreed with Alder Hey that withdrawing ventilation is in his best interests but his parents say "the state" is wrongly interfering with their parental choice.

Alder Hey yesterday released a statement saying: "Our priority is to continue to provide the best possible care for Alfie and his parents at this difficult time.

"Following receipt of the decision Mr Evans has raised criticisms of the treatment Alfie has received. We refute those criticisms entirely.

"We hope that staff will be allowed to continue caring for Alfie and all other children at Alder Hey without interference or disturbance."