A 60-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after three people were found dead at a care home in Swanage. Detective...
A 60-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after three people were found dead at a care home in Swanage.
Detectives say the deaths are being treated as ‘unexplained’, but carbon monoxide poisoning is their ‘primary line of inquiry’.
Seven other people were taken to hospital from Gainsborough Care Home ‘as a precaution’ on Wednesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third said: ‘Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who tragically died and they are being supported by officers.
‘As part of our investigation, we have made one arrest to enable us to establish whether there have been actions or omissions which are grossly negligent and gather as much information as we can about what has happened.
‘It is important to note that the arrest process also provides certain legal protection to individuals and I would ask for the media and public to avoid speculating any further now that legal proceedings are active.
‘We know that the residents of Swanage will be feeling the impact of this incident immensely and we would like to thank everyone for the care and respect that has been shown throughout the day.
‘Our local neighbourhood policing team will be on hand to provide support – we know this is a difficult time and we are doing all we can to minimise the impact on the community while we conduct inquiries in the area.’
People living near the scene in Ulwell Road saw residents being taken out of the building.
One man, who did not want to give his name, said: ‘They evacuated the care home, Gainsborough Care Home.
‘They have taken all the patients out but the emergency services are still on the scene.’
He said he saw some residents being taken out in wheelchairs.
He estimated there were two fire engines, three to four police cars and around eight or nine ambulances at the scene, where the road remains closed.
Patricia Garnel, who lives in Ulwell Road, said she started hearing sirens ‘non-stop’ from around 8am.
‘It was a huge apparatus,’ she said. ‘One I’ve never seen.’
Speaking to reporters earlier, Dorset Police Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey said: ‘The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained, and we are continuing to liaise with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances of what has happened.
‘A significant multi-agency presence will remain in the area, including a police cordon as we work with our partners to carry out an investigation.
‘Following earlier inquiries, I can confirm that potential carbon monoxide poisoning is our primary line of inquiry, but I would stress that there is nothing to indicate that there is currently any risk to the wider public.
‘Swanage is a very close-knit community and I know these very sad deaths will have significant impact on everyone here.’
She said the remaining residents have been evacuated to a location where they can receive appropriate care.
‘They are being supported by Dorset Council and the health service,’ she added.
Katie Lobban, a spokeswoman for gas distribution company SGN, said they were called to the Gainsborough Care Home earlier on Wednesday as the national gas emergency service for the south of England.
She said engineers were sent to complete safety checks in the building, adding: ‘Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this tragic incident.’
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