Teenage Jehovah’s Witness refuses blood transfusion and dies

Joshua McAuley, 15, is understood to have declined the treatment advised by doctors and was not overruled by members of his family.

McAuley was treated at Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham after he was pinned against a wall by a car in a freak accident.

He suffered multiple injuries in the crash which occurred as he was preaching to local people shopping on Saturday in Smethwick, West Mids.

The schoolboy, who attended Shireland Academy and was preparing to sit his GCSEs, was airlifted to hospital after being trapped under the rubble of a food shop.

He suffered serious abdominal and leg injuries, and died at around 5.30pm that evening.

The car driver, a 28-year-old man from Evesham, was arrested and later bailed by police pending further enquiries.

McAuley, who lived with his parents Jerome and Denise McAuley, was described as a popular young man by his friends.  Read Article

By Laura Roberts