Detectives are currently investigating the deaths of three individuals at a care home in Dorset, with authorities confirming that “possible carbon monoxide poisoning” is the main line of inquiry. As part of this investigation, a 60-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remains in custody.
DCI Neil Third, from the major crime investigation team, stated that the arrest was made to determine if there were any negligent actions or omissions involved in this tragic event. “We are gathering as much information as we can about what has happened,” he said.
On Wednesday morning, police were alerted to the Gainsborough care home in Swanage at 7:16 AM after three residents were found deceased. Authorities have since evacuated dozens more residents, some of whom required wheelchairs or stretchers, to a nearby church while arrangements for their continued care are being made.
Ch Supt Heather Dixey reported that seven individuals were taken to the hospital as a precaution, while other residents were safely evacuated. “The deaths are being treated as unexplained,” Dixey noted, emphasizing the ongoing collaboration with partner agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The local community has stepped up to support the evacuated residents, with the Rev Jo Levasier from All Saints Church recounting how they quickly opened the church for those in need. “I received a call from the care home around 7:45 AM asking for assistance,” she shared. “Residents began arriving shortly thereafter, including some on stretchers. Many were confused and distressed, but the community came together brilliantly, providing blankets, food, and drinks.”
Salama Ghounaim, a kitchen staff member, explained the urgency of evacuating all residents from the building. “The decision was to take everybody out of the building to the church. The residents are very elderly – some almost 100 years old.”
Charlotte Harris, a former activities coordinator at the care home who witnessed the evacuation, voiced her shock: “When you do drills, you never expect it to happen in real life. I just wanted to help because those residents who have dementia need a lot of care.”
The church housing the evacuated residents received generous donations from local businesses, including pastries from a bakery and fish and chips from a restaurant. Agincare, which runs the home, stated that the wellbeing of residents is always their priority and that they were working closely with local authorities to facilitate the safe return of residents.
In response to concerns, the local gas company, SGN, confirmed that there had been no mains gas leak on the premises, which supports the theory of carbon monoxide poisoning as a potential cause.
The Care Quality Commission had rated the care home as “good” in a 2021 report, emphasizing that risks were managed effectively. Family members of residents have expressed their satisfaction with the home’s safety measures, as well as their praise for the staff’s dedication and care.
Carbon monoxide is known to cause approximately 60 deaths and 200 hospital admissions annually in the UK, highlighting the seriousness of the current investigation.
