A woman has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after three people died and seven others were hospitalised following a major incident at a care home in Swanage
Detectives investigating the deaths of three people at a care home in Swanage have arrested a 60-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter, Dorset Police said.
The suspect was arrested just hours after police said the deaths at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage were being treated as “unexplained” and possible carbon monoxide posioning is the “primary line of inquiry.”
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, 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.”
Seven people from Gainsborough Care Home were hospitalised “as a precaution” and the property has been evacuated. Fifteen ambulances, fire crews and police officers rushed to the scene in Ulwell Road in Swanage, Dorset, at 05:20am along with gas engineers from the Southern Gas Network (SGN). Dorset Police confirmed there was no risk to the wider public.
Councillor Gary Suttle said evacuated care home residents were initially taken to All Saint’s Church, near the scene, and will be moved to other placements. He told of local residents “kindly” going to the church with blankets in acts of “great community support”.
A spokesperson for gas network company, Southern Gas Network confirmed that the firm’s engineers were called to the care home this morning. It said: “We were called to Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage earlier today in our capacity as the national gas emergency service for the south of England. Our engineers are waiting for access to the building to complete safety checks. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this tragic incident.”
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, told PA: “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.
Patricia Garnel, who lives in Ulwell Road, said she started hearing sirens “non-stop” from around 8am. “I knew something was happening as we started hearing sirens non-stop from around 8, 8.30am,” the 53-year-old said. “As I was driving to the ferry the road was closed. I made it around, got to the ferry and police, ambulances and fire brigades were crossing from Poole to Swanage. It was a huge apparatus. One I’ve never seen.”
The home, run by Agincare, has 48 residents, all elderly and some with dementia. A spokesperson for the Gainsborough Care Home said it has allocated “extra staffing resources” to provide support after an incident at the site, and that residents moved to a village hall and church are “safe and well”.
