Woman, 60, arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after three die at Dorset care home

23 October 2024, 21:22 | Updated: 23 October 2024, 22:00

Detectives investigating the deaths of three people at a care home in Swanage, Dorset, have arrested a 60-year-old woman on suspicion of manslaughter.

Seven people were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Around 40 residents and care home staff from Gainsborough Care Home are staying in a nearby church.

People carrying stretchers and wheelchairs have been seen entering the church to move residents to alternative accommodation.

Earlier, at a press conference, Dorset Police confirmed they were pursuing potential carbon monoxide poisoning as their "primary line of inquiry".

Prior to this, an investigation was launched because the three deaths are being treated as "unexplained".

Swanage care home - emergency response with residents moved to the All Saints Church.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who tragically died and they are being supported by officers.

"As part of our investigation, we have made one arrest to enable us to establish whether there have been actions or omissions which are grossly negligent and gather as much information as we can about what has happened. It is important to note that the arrest process also provides certain legal protection to individuals and I would ask for the media and public to avoid speculating any further now that legal proceedings are active.

"We know that the residents of Swanage will be feeling the impact of this incident immensely and we would like to thank everyone for the care and respect that has been shown throughout the day.

"Our local neighbourhood policing team will be on hand to provide support - we know this is a difficult time and we are doing all we can to minimise the impact on the community while we conduct inquiries in the area."

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: “We were called at 7.47am this morning (23 October) to assist the ambulance service in Ulwell Road, Swanage.

"We currently have four fire crews on scene from Swanage, Wareham, Westbourne, Poole, a support vehicle from Dorchester along with two crews from Winchester (Hampshire and IOW FRS).

"Firefighters are working with Dorset Police, South West Ambulance Service and other partners to resolve this incident.”

A spokesperson for Gainsborough Care Home said in a statement: "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.