Latest Swanage care home deaths: Carbon monoxide poisoning ‘primary line of inquiry’, police say | UK News

Our news correspondent Dan Whitehead it is outside the Gainsborough care home, where there is still a large police presence.

Fire crews and gas work investigators are also on the premises.

Three people died and four others were taken to hospitals, and investigations are being carried out.

“We understand that these deaths and this incident are related to some type of gas leak or incident that occurred perhaps overnight,” Whitehead said.

“That’s what the workers here are trying to establish.

“Police say they understand the incident will have a significant impact on the Swanage community.”

He adds that there are several engineers from gas company SGN and there are cordons at both ends of the road.

“Several nursing home residents were taken to a church about 100 meters from here. I just passed by and many of these residents are being cared for by outreach workers and ambulance workers,” he says.

What did the police say?

Dorset Police said officers were called to the house shortly after 7.15am and an investigation is being carried out “to establish the full circumstances”.

“The families of those who died have been informed and the coroner has been notified,” the force said.

“The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched.

“At this time there is nothing to indicate any risk to the general public.”

And the nursing home?

The Gainsborough care home said “extra staff resources” had been allocated following the incident.

“The well-being of residents is always our top priority, and part of the local business continuity plan was to move residents in a controlled manner to a town hall and local church, where they would remain safe and well,” a spokesperson added. .

What about the gas company SGN?

Katie Lobban, a spokeswoman for the gas distribution company, said they were called to the care home as emergency national gas service for the south of England.

She said engineers had been sent to complete safety checks on the building, adding: “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this tragic incident.”