THE parents of Alfie Evans, whose story became the centre of a landmark battle about human rights, have said they are “shattered” after their son died on Saturday morning.

The 23 month old, who was being treated at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, died at 2.30am and more than 1000 supporters gathered12 hours later next to the hospital, to release blue and purple balloons in his memory.

The terminally-ill child was at the centre of a legal battle over his treatment, and his story touched hearts around the world.

His case received worldwide attention, and Pope Francis expressed support in favour of his parents’ battle to take him overseas for treatment.

In a Facebook post, the parents said: “Our baby boy grew his wings tonight at 2.30am. We are heartbroken. Thank you everyone for all your support.” Thomas Evans, 21, and 20-year-old Kate James had fought to take their son to a hospital abroad for treatment for a degenerative medical condition, but lost a final court appeal on Wednesday.

Doctors removed Alfie’s life support following a High Court judge’s ruling on Monday, however he continued to live.

His parents said that the child had defied doctors’ expectations. Thomas Evans said their lives had been “turned upside down” by the “intense focus” his case had received.

“Our little family along with Alder Hey has become the centre of attention for many people around the world and it has meant we have not been able to live our lives as we would like,” he said.

The Evans case prompted an outpouring of public support, including a group on social media called “Alfie’s Army”.

The attention and emotion garnered by Alfie’s plight and his parents’ public campaign led to tension between supporters and staff at Alder Hey.

At one point around 200 people attempted to storm Alder Hey and blocked the road outside the hospital, resulting in a stand-off with police. Parents with children being treated at the hospital and staff spoke of their distress at the protests.

A crowdfunding campaign to support the parents raised more than £130,000. There were demonstrations in places as far afield as the Vatican and Warsaw in favour of the parents’ fight to have Alfie taken abroad for treatment.

He was even granted Italian citizenship in an effort to enable a transfer to a hospital in Rome. Earlier this month, his father flew to the Vatican and met with the Pope.

Following Alfie’s death, the Pope said on Twitter: “I am deeply moved by the death of little Alfie. Today I pray especially for his parents, as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace.”

A spokesman for Alder Hey said: “We wish to express our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Alfie’s family at this extremely distressing time.

"All of us feel deeply for Alfie, Kate, Tom and his whole family and our thoughts are with them. This has been a devastating journey for them and we would ask that their privacy and the privacy of staff at Alder Hey is respected.”