Student shot by Israeli soldier to have life support turned off

A British student left brain dead after being shot by an Israeli soldier is set to have his life support machine switched off. Tom Hurndall, 22, is in a permanent vegetative state after he was shot six months ago while taking photographs during a trip to the West Bank.

His family have been informed that there is little hope of his recovery and doctors are expected to start legal procedures that will end his life.

An application to the High Court to switch off his life support machine is expected to be made by doctors next month, according to Carl Arrindell, a close friend. If the application is successful, it is hoped that Mr Hurndall will be transferred from the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, south London, where he is currently being treated, to spend his final hours at the family home in Tufnell Park, north London.

His mother Jocelyn Hurndall, a teacher, said: "I find this all very difficult. Tom will go when he feels ready to go. It will feel more right for it to happen that way."

Tom, a photography student at Manchester Metropolitan University, was shot while recording the work of a peace group in Gaza and the activities of the Israeli army.

His family launched a campaign to uncover the circumstances leading to his death and have called for an independent judicial inquiry.