Dorset care home: Three found dead and four in hospital as gas poisoning feared
Three people have died and a care home in Dorset was evacuated after what was feared to have been a gas leak.
Dorset Police have launched an investigation into the “unexplained” deaths, and four residents were taken to hospital “as a precaution”.
The emergency services rushed to the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage on Wednesday morning.
Ten ambulances were called, along with six fire crews, including two teams from neighbouring Hampshire.
Other residents from the home were taken to a nearby church hall, where beds and blankets were provided for them.
The home, run by Agincare, has 48 residents, all elderly and some with dementia.
A Dorset councillor said there was a suspicion that the deaths were down to carbon monoxide poisoning but that it had not been proven.
Gas distribution company SGN said it was called to carry out safety checks as the national gas emergency service for the south of England.
The Health and Safety Executive said it was supporting Dorset Police and other authorities in the investigation.
Key Points
Off-duty care staff help out
Reverend Jo Levasier said residents who had to leave the care home were taken to All Saints Church on stretchers and in wheelchairs.
“We have a few beds that have been set up,” she said.
“Quite a few people are confused. I think most of them are OK.
“The care staff have been amazing, amazing. Lots of people who’ve had time off have just come in.
“Lots of care staff have been here, so it’s been amazing.
“I’ve been just trying to facilitate the different organisations working together in the one space, sorting tea and coffee.”
Carbon monoxide poisoning key line of inquiry, police say
Police investigating the deaths of three people at the care home in Swanage say they are pursuing potential carbon monoxide poisoning as their “primary line of inquiry”.
Dorset Police Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey said seven people were also in hospital as a result of the incident at Gainsborough Care Home in Ulwell Road.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Care Quality Commission ‘helping ensure residents’ safety’
The Care Quality Commission, England’s care watchdog, said it was monitoring the situation and was in contact with the care provider to make sure other residents were kept safe.
Council ‘trying to meet needs of vulnerable residents’
Dorset council said it was trying to meet the needs of the vulnerable residents forced to leave their care home.
It said: “Dorset Council is deeply saddened to hear of the deaths at the Gainsborough care home in Swanage.
“We are working with the home’s owners Agincare, emergency services and other partner agencies to support the residents of the care home who have been evacuated.
“Many of the residents are vulnerable people with significant care needs, and so we are working with them to understand how to meet their needs in the short term and identify their next steps.
“At this time there is nothing to indicate any risk to the wider public. We understand this incident will have a significant impact on the Swanage community and our thoughts are very much with the families of those who have sadly died at this extremely difficult time.”
Beds and blankets taken to church hall
Firefighters carried beds into the church hall where other residents were taken.
A councillor said residents had taken blankets in acts of “great community support”.
Health and safety watchdog involved
Britain’s health and safety watchdog says it is providing its backing for the investigation into how three residents died at the Gainsborough care home.
A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said they were supporting Dorset Police and other relevant authorities.
Police, fire and ambulances crossed from Poole to Swanage
Patricia Garnel, who lives in Ulwell Road, where the care home is, 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.”
Carbon monoxide poisoning suspected, says councillor
Councillor Gary Suttle, from Dorset Council, said there was a suspicion that the deaths were down to to carbon monoxide “but it has not been proven”.
Dorset Police declined to comment.
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.”
Locals will be devastated, says MP
The MP for the area says local people will be devastated by the deaths.
South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It will certainly be hitting the whole community hard. Swanage is a small tight-knit seaside town and I know people will be devastated by the news three people have sadly passed away.
“I think it’s really important that we allow the police and all the other emergency services to carry out their inquiries which are already under way, at which point they’ll be able to give us a fuller picture of just what’s gone on here.”
In a statement, he sent his condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died.