A British woman with terminal breast cancer has been euthanised on a beach in New Zealand.

Tracy Hickman, 57, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2019 after a routine mammogram.

The cancer returned in 2023 and in March this year doctors advised she probably only had three months to live.

In New Zealand, laws brought in under the End of Life Choice Act in 2019 enable competent adults to choose an ‘assisted death’ – if they have a terminal illness, are aged 18 or over, and have no more than six months to live.

Following her diagnosis, Tracy applied for an assisted suicide in New Zealand’s through a process that includes an assessment from two doctors.

A medical team administered the fatal drugs to her on a beach, surrounded by family.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are currently illegal in the UK and any medic or person who performs one can face prosecution for manslaughter or murder.