The police have arrested a woman on suspicion of manslaughter after the deaths of three people at a care home were treated as “unexplained,” with carbon monoxide poisoning as the primary line of inquiry. The Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, Dorset, was evacuated, and seven people were taken to hospital. The seven included an 89-year-old man and a woman of 85, both of whom later died, and a man of 81 who remains in a critical condition.
The families of the deceased were informed, and the coroner has been notified. There were about 40 residents at the Agincare-run home, with many being transferred, some in wheelchairs, to the nearby All Saints Church. The precise circumstances of the incident are being examined, and the arrest is part of this broader investigation.
Det Ch Insp Neil Third said: “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.” The arrest, he said, also provides “legal protection to individuals,” and he cautioned against any further speculation.
SGN, a gas distribution company, has confirmed that it was called to the care home earlier and had sent engineers to perform safety checks. Dorset Council is working to meet the needs of the evacuated residents, many of whom have significant care needs and are highly vulnerable. Agincare, which has allocated extra staffing resources to provide support to the affected, has reassured relatives that residents in the village hall and church are “safe and well.”
This tragic incident highlights the vulnerability of individuals in care home settings and the importance of swift and thorough investigation. As the legal proceedings become active, the police are urging individuals and the public not to speculate further
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