Police reveal more details about Dorset care home tragedy which saw three people die amid suspected carbon monoxide leak - as woman arrested on suspicion of manslaughter is released under investigation
Police investigating a possible carbon monoxide poisoning at a Swanage care home that left three residents dead have released a woman under investigation.
Police investigating a possible carbon monoxide poisoning at a Swanage care home that left three residents dead have released a woman under investigation.
The 60-year-old was arrested yesterday evening on suspicion of manslaughter after two men, age 74 and 91, and woman, 86, were found dead at Gainsborough care home on Ulwell Road.
Dorset Police have since confirmed that the woman - who was arrested to see if there were any actions or omissions that are believed to be grossly negligent - has been released from custody while enquiries are ongoing.
The three residents deaths are currently being treated as unexplained, with officers updating families as the investigation continues.
Seven other residents remain in hospital following the incident that saw the care home, which included bed bound patients, evacuated early yesterday morning.
The scene outside Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage on Wednesday where three residents of a care home died
Medics bring out equipment from the church, used to treat care home residents
This morning, a police cordon remained in place with officers inspecting the property. A team from the local fire service also arrived and went into the now vacant building.
Charlotte Harris, 34, who worked in the care home as a teen and whose parents live opposite the site said the whole community was shaken.
The operations manager said: Everyone is shocked. Its a big tragedy that does not seem real and theres a lot of sadness, which will not stop today.
Once everything has calmed down and everything has come out there will be a big mourning from the town, if theres not already. At the moment everyone is just rallying around to help.
People were frightened yesterday. They did not know what was going on. I had no idea what was happening, but I knew it was something big.
Charlotte was amongst those in the community who have pulled together to offer support for the residents as well as the emergency workers.
Another neighbour told MailOnline: We really dont know anything, all I can say is that home made a big effort to make everything so lovely and welcoming. It is just very sad.
The scene outside All Saints Church close to the care home shows the sheer scale of the response by emergency services on Wednesday
Emergency services stand outside the Gainsborough care home after the incident yesteday
A fireman stood outside the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage on Wednesday
An aerial view of Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, where three people were found dead from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning
Heather Dixey, Chief Superintendent, Dorset Police makes a statement at a press conference on the incident which occured at Gainsborough Care Home
Heather Dixey, Chief Superintendent, Dorset Police (c) with Darren Langdown, Area Manager Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service and Susan Thomas, Tactical Commander, South West Ambulance Service at a press conference on the incident which occured at Gainsborough Care Home
One man with ties to the church who asked not to be named said: Swanage hit the headlines yesterday and it was for all the wrong reasons. I arrived at the church around 10am and by that time it was full of professionals. There were about 15 ambulances and support vehicles.
People were in and out all day. By teatime all the residents were gone. Its tragedy but we are a good, strong community.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: The thoughts of the investigation team and wider force remain with the loved ones of those who tragically died.
We are continuing to gather as much information as possible to give us a full picture of events during the morning of Wednesday 23 October 2024. This involves liaising with experts from partner agencies to understand the circumstances and this work will take some time to be carried out.
Members of the public can expect to see a large multi-agency presence continue in the area over the coming days to enable us to conduct detailed enquiries. Our local officers will remain in the area to provide support.
This tragic incident will have a significant impact on the community in Swanage. The care, compassion and respect that has been shown so far is commendable and we hope this continues over the coming days as our investigation progresses.
