British lawmakers gave initial approval Friday to a hotly contested assisted suicide bill — despite alarming stories of people in other countries changing their minds moments before they would have died.

Members of Parliament approved the so-called “assisted dying bill” by a vote of 330 to 275 after hours of scathing debate from both sides as hundreds of supporters and detractors rallied outside.

The controversial legislation would allow mentally competent adults in England and Wales who have been given less than six months to live the right to request help to humanely end their lives.

Friday’s vote approves the bill in principle, meaning it will be kicked back to Parliament for further consideration. Similar legislation was shot down at this stage in 2015.

Similar measures have been passed in parts of the US, Canada, Australia and Switzerland — although some people have reportedly changed their minds about taking their own lives at the last moment.

In one particularly alarming case, a 22-year-old Dutch woman only identified as Romy said she changed her mind about dying at the very last moment — as the doctor about to give the lethal injection asked a final, “Are you sure?”

Despite being a long-time campaigner for the right to die — and having even seen the coffin that awaited her — Romy said she started to cry at the ultimate reality, and called off her death.

“This case highlights the dangers to the UK if assisted dying becomes law,” Kevin Yuill, the chief executive of Humanists Against Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia, told the Telegraph.

“The only real safeguard is not legalizing it in the first place.”

Julian Kiverstein, an assistant professor of neurophilosophy at the University of Amsterdam, called Romy’s case reason “to think that young people with executive functions that are still developing are not able to make well-considered decisions to end their lives.”

“While I have no doubt that Romy’s suffering was deep at the time she made her request for euthanasia, I think her case and others like hers show that there is often room to doubt whether all alternative options have been fully explored … and whether young people have the decision-making capacity required to reach a carefully considered decision to end their lives.”

The UK vote came after hours of emotional discussion among members of parliament about the ethics, legality and funding of the measure — and saw alliances formed across political parties.

Supporters claim the law would allow those who are terminally ill to die with dignity and avoid unnecessary suffering.

Opponents allege it would put vulnerable people at risk and could potentially coerce people, directly or indirectly, to request an end to their lives to avoid becoming a burden to their loved ones.

Kim Leadbeater, the bill’s main sponsor, and other backers revealed heart-breaking stories about loved ones and constituents who suffered greatly at the bitter end of their lives. 

They also spoke about those who decided to kill themselves in secret as it’s currently illegal to assist anyone in their suicide.

“Let’s be clear, we’re not talking about a choice between life or death, we are talking about giving dying people a choice about how to die,” Leadbeater said in the opening speech in a packed chamber.

She noted it wouldn’t be an easy decision for the lawmakers to make, but said, “If any of us wanted an easy life, they’re in the wrong place.”

Those against the bill raised concerns that the sick and elderly could be pushed into assisted dying to save money on medical bills and bring relief to their families.

Danny Kruger, who led the argument against the bill, slammed the idea of a “state suicide service” and contended that the role of parliament is to provide protection for those most vulnerable.

“We are the safeguard, this place, this Parliament, you and me,” he said. “We are the people who protect the most vulnerable in society from harm and yet we stand on the brink of abandoning that role.”

Others called to instead improve palliative care.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has supported assisted dying in the past, said the government will remain neutral and would not reveal how he would vote.

Some members of his cabinet had said they would support the bill, while others were against it. 

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, said she would vote to shoot the bill down.

Assisted suicide is different from euthanasia, which is legal in the Netherlands and Canada and involves healthcare practitioners administering a lethal injection at the patient’s request in specific circumstances.

With Post Wires