GREECE/ENGLAND: Carbon monoxide killed UK children in Corfu, hotel to be charged for the deaths

Holidaymakers in Corfu became increasingly worried on Saturday (October 28) after it was confirmed that carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death of two British children at their hotel. Neil Shepherd, his children Christianne, 7, and Robert, 6, and his partner Ruth Beatson, from West Yorkshire, were found in their bungalow on Thursday (October 26) by a maid at the four-star beachfront hotel on the Ionian Sea island, popular with British tourists. The two children were found dead while their father and his partner, who were in the same room, were found comatose. Shepherd and Beatson were rushed to hospital and came out of their coma on Friday (October 27) but both are expected to remain in intensive care for at least one more day. It is unclear if the father has been told about the death of his children. Police sources said the toxic fumes may have entered the room from a leaking pipe connected to a gas-fired water boiler outside the room. Charges of manslaughter due to negligence may be levelled against the hotel and the maintenance company responsible for the upkeep of the gas boiler, once the investigation has been completed, police officials said. Sharon Wood, the mother of two children visited the hotel where the tragedy occurred on Saturday (October 28). Ms. Woods accompanied by British Embassy representatives, struggled to contain herself as she walked towards the bungalow where her children died. Ms. Woods had earlier visited the morgue to identify the bodies and declined to speak to reporters about the incident. Meanwhile, a British expert was called into Corfu on Saturday (October 28) by a travel company to participate in the investigation of the hotel's heating system. Brian Thompson, a boiler expert, conducted tests on a boiler near the bungalow where the family had stayed. He said he had not yet been allowed to check the boiler of the actual bungalow where the family was, but believed that a possible carbon monoxide leak would have originated at the gas boiler. Meanwhile, hotel management said they were cooperating fully with authorities. "It is too early to respond to questions concerning the cause of the tragic incident. The management is cooperating with the police and the experts for the discovery of the cause," said George Hrisikopoulos, manager of the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel. However, the recent events have led to fear among the other guests in the hotel who say management has not kept other guests informed. "I think a lot of people are a little afraid," said one guest. "It's ruined our holiday, how can you relax?" asked another. Holiday Tour Operator Thomas Cook, which was used by the Shepherd family to book the holiday sent their condolences to the family but said it was too early to comment on the investigation. "Thomas Cook has called on the Louis Hotel Group to make its own full investigation and to provide answers and an explanation about this tragic situation," said Chief Executive, Manny Fontenla-Novoa at a brief news conference.

ITN Source | October 29, 2006

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