Swanage care home victim's family speak out over 'terrible accident' after three deaths

The 82-year-old woman with dementia is one of multiple vulnerable people evacuated after three elderly residents were found dead at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage

One woman whose 82-year-old mother was among those evacuated said she believed the incident had been a “terrible accident”.

Dorset Police said it received a report at 7.16am on Wednesday regarding three residents - two men, aged 74 and 91, and an 86-year-old woman - who were found dead at Gainsborough Care Home in Ulwell Road, Swanage.

Seven people were taken to hospital as a precaution and are not in a serious condition, Dorset Police added. Other residents from the address were evacuated to a location where they could receive appropriate care. The deaths are being treated as unexplained and detectives are still exploring possible carbon monoxide poisoning as the primary line of inquiry.

She said: “My mum has specialist care from ICSD [Intensive Community Support for Dementia]. They and my mum’s social worker let me know. I was allowed to see my mum in the church hall. One of the carers who is quite attached to my mum went in on his day off and he was just sat there holding her hand because she knew him.

“My mum got moved out last night to another care home. She’s OK but she’s in a very vulnerable position. She couldn’t get to the other home until 10 o’clock last night. She’s got no medication and she’s got no clothes. “I don’t know what happened because it’s such a lovely home. The staff have been fantastic. They had activities. Mum’s room was allowed to be decorated. Their maintenance man was fantastic. I know he put all Mum’s pictures up. I think it sounds like a terrible accident.”

It comes after police announced that a 60-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter had been released under investigation.

In an update on Thursday afternoon, the force said the 60-year-old local woman who was arrested had been released under investigation while inquiries continue. The arrest was made to enable the force to establish whether there were any actions or omissions that are believed to be grossly negligent, and inquiries will continue into this, police added. 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.