Three dead after suspected gas leak at care home


Three dead after suspected gas leak at care home

Three people have died in a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a care home in Dorset.

A South Western Ambulance Service spokesman said they were called at 5.20am on Wednesday to an incident at the care home in Swanage.

A hazard response team, 10 double-crewed ambulances and "a significant number of additional resources" were deployed to the scene.

Dorset police said that three people were found dead and four have been taken to hospital.

Follow for the latest updates.

Thank you for following our live coverage. Here is a recap of what happened today:

Dorset Council said there is currently "nothing to indicate any risk to the wider public", following the deaths at Gainsborough Care Home.

In a statement, the council added: "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.

"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."

Local residents brought blankets to All Saints Church in Swanage, where evacuees were being sheltered.

Councillor Gary Suttle described their efforts as a "great community support".

Several of those evacuated from the home had to be transported to the church and nearby village hall in wheelchairs. Some of the care home residents were described as suffering from dementia and are understood to have been left confused and bewildered by the emergency.

Lloyd Hatton, the MP for South Dorset, said the care home deaths "will certainly be hitting the whole community hard".

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "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 enquiries 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."

Gainsborough Care Home was rated 'good' in all areas by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) at its last unannounced inspection in November 2021.

The care home, which has a capacity of 48 people, looks after people with dementia, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, and sensory impairments.

The report noted that "people felt safe and happy living at Gainsborough Care Home".

A spokesperson for the CQC said they were "aware of the tragic developments" at the care home in Swanage and were in contact with the provider and emergency services "to ensure other residents are kept safe."

They added: "Our condolences are with those affected."

The Diocese of Salisbury wrote in a post on X: "We pray for the residents and staff of Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, and for the emergency services responding there today.

"Surround them with your peace and protection. We pray that you would bless All Saints Church as they support those affected.

"Bring comfort, strength, and healing to all in need."

Residents have been evacuated to All Saints Church, where care home staff have taken blankets and pillows and ambulance workers have reportedly handed out bottles of water and pints of milk.

Lloyd Hatton, the MP for South Dorset, expressed his condolences for the families of those who died in the incident.

He said: "I am deeply saddened by the serious incident that has taken place at a care home in Swanage today - where three people have passed away.

"My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones of those who have sadly passed.

"I would like to extend my thanks to all of the emergency services for their rapid response.

"If you are in the area, please follow all directions issued by the emergency services."

Gainsborough Care Home has allocated "extra staffing resources" to provide support after an incident at the residence in Swanage, a spokesman said.

They said: "An incident involving the care home took place this morning, and we have 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.

"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."

Fire and ambulance crews used the ferry from Sandbanks to reach the care home on the Swanage peninsula, queuing to disembark before making their way to the incident.

Patricia Garnell, a health care worker who watched the emergency vehicles arrive, wrote on X: "They keep coming. On the ferry now. More ambulances waiting on Sandbanks.

"While waiting at least two white police cars came out from the ferry. There's more ambulances waiting to get on the ferry."

The 53-year-old later added: "Police, ambulances and fire brigades were crossing from Poole to Swanage."

A resident has described the scenes unfolding outside the Gainsborough care home after three people died in a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

The man, who did not want to give his name, said: "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 described some residents being taken out in wheelchairs and as more than a dozen emergency services vehicles arrived at the scene.

The home, run by Agincare, has 48 residents, all elderly and some with dementia.

SGN, a gas distribution company, said they were called to Gainsborough Care Home earlier on Wednesday as the national gas emergency service for the south of England.

Katie Lobban, an SGN spokeswoman, 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."

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Four other people have been taken to hospital as a precaution and other residents of the address have been evacuated to a safe location as emergency services respond to the incident.

"There remains a significant multi-agency presence in place at the address and a cordon remains in place as we work with partners to carry out further enquiries.

"At this time there is nothing to indicate any risk to the wider public."

He added: "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."

Swanage councillor Gary Suttle said there is a "suspicion" that the incident "could be attributable to carbon monoxide but it has not been proven".

A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service spokesman also said they were called to the scene to assist ambulance crews in Ulwell Road at 7:47am.

We're bringing you the latest updates after a suspected gas leak at a care home in Dorset.

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