Woman released under investigation over deaths of three people at Swanage care home
Police said their primary line of inquiry was carbon monoxide poisoning, as ITV News West of England reporter Sangita Lal explains from Swanage
A 60-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the deaths of three residents at a care home in Swanage, Dorset, has been released under investigation.
The local woman was arrested on Wednesday evening and remains in police custody, Dorset Police said.
Officers were called to Gainsborough Care Home in Ulwell Road at 7:16am on Wednesday after three residents were found dead.
The three residents have now been confirmed as two men aged 74 and 91 and an 86-year-old woman.
Seven people were taken to the hospital as a precaution, and other residents of the address were evacuated to a location where they could receive appropriate care.
Detectives said the deaths are "currently being treated as unexplained".
They confirmed earlier on Wednesday that "possible carbon monoxide poisoning is the primary line of inquiry".
A significant multi-agency presence - including a cordon - will remain in the area.
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.”
Emergency services have been at Gainsborough Care Home on Ulwell Road since early Wednesday morning.
The home, run by Agincare, has 48 residents, all elderly and some with dementia.
One former staff member of the care home, Charlotte Harris, who happened to be passing, told ITV News she saw fire engines, ambulances, police and hazmat services outside.
"It's just very sad what's happened," she said. "My thoughts are with the families."
A spokesperson for Gainsborough Care Home said it has been "closely working with the lead agencies to manage the welfare of all concerned".
"The wellbeing of residents is always our overriding priority, and part of the local business continuity plan was to transfer residents in a managed way to a local village hall and church, where they remain safe and well," the statement continued.
"We appreciate that this is a stressful and worrying time for those involved, and have allocated extra staffing resources to provide support locally.
"We are contacting and updating residents’ families. We will continue to work with the lead local authority services to return residents into their home at the earliest opportunity, and will provide further updates in due course."
Dorset Council has confirmed that 44 residents have been moved to temporary care home places.
Councillor Steve Robinson, Cabinet lead for Adult Social Care, said: “The thoughts and sympathies of everyone at Dorset Council are with the families of those who have died and those affected by this incident. Dorset Council is working closely with partners to support our residents.
“All the 44 residents from the Gainsborough Care Home had been moved to temporary care home placements either in other Agincare Care Homes, care homes in both the Bournemouth and Christchurch and Poole or Dorset Council areas or hospital settings.”
Gas distribution company SGN – which said it owns and operates all of the pipes underground and up until the gas meter – said it completed safety checks and there has been no gas leak involving its network.A spokesperson said on Wednesday: “Earlier this evening, we completed our safety checks at the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage and can confirm there has been no gas leak involving our network.“We’d like to assure the community that the mains gas network in their local area is sound. If anyone smells gas, they should call the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999.”
The Mayor of Swanage Town Council, Councillor Tina Foster, sent her condolences to the families, friends and carers of those who died.
"Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this incident at this difficult time," she said.
The town's MP - Lloyd Hatton - says he will be giving his constituents all the support he can.
He said: "My thoughts, my prayers go out to the families and the loved ones of the three people that have sadly passed away at that care home.
"There is a serious incident in place and the emergency services have responded swiftly. I've got family in Swanage, it's a small tight knit community and people will understandably be devastated by the incident."
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