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Quadriplegic Frenchman Dies, but Life-support Debate Alive in Europe

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - A quadriplegic French man in a vegetative state, whose case has
   split his family, and France, died Thursday, a week after doctors
   removed his feeding tubes. Vincent Lambert's death came after years of
   court battles and underscores deeply divisive right-to-die questions in
   Europe.

   Vincent Lambert had been kept alive artificially since a 2008 traffic
   crash left him severely brain damaged. The 42-year-old former nurse had
   not left written instructions about his end-of-life wishes, but his
   wife Rachel said he had earlier stated he would not want to be in a
   vegetative state.

   Nephew Francois Lambert told reporters the death was a relief. His
   uncle would have not wanted to continue living in such a way.

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