A 60-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after three residents were found dead at a care home for elderly people in Swanage.
Dorset Police said they received a report at 7:16 a.m. on Wednesday regarding three residents who were found dead at the Gainsborough Care Home in Ulwell Road in the small coastal town.
Seven people were taken to hospital as a precaution and other residents of the address were evacuated to a location where they can receive appropriate care.
Police said the deaths are “currently being treated as unexplained” but added that detectives have confirmed that “possible carbon monoxide poisoning is the primary line of inquiry.”
Dorset Police said a 60-year-old local woman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Wednesday evening and remains in police custody.
The care home, operated by Agincare, is reported as having 48 residents, all elderly and some with dementia.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third, of the major crime investigation team, said in a statement, “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.”
‘Close-Knit Community’
“The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained, and we are continuing to liaise with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances of what has happened,” she said.“A significant multi-agency presence will remain in the area, including a police cordon as we work with our partners to carry out an investigation.
“Following earlier inquiries, I can confirm that potential carbon monoxide poisoning is our primary line of inquiry, but I would stress that there is nothing to indicate that there is currently any risk to the wider public.
“Swanage is a very close-knit community and I know these very sad deaths will have significant impact on everyone here.”
People living near the scene saw residents being taken out of the building, including some in wheelchairs. They were taken to a nearby church, where many members of the community gathered to offer support and bring food.
One man, who did not want to give his name, said, “They have taken all the patients out but the emergency services are still on the scene.”
Photos shared on social media showed a huge emergency services response, with numerous police cares, ambulances, and the fire engines outside the care home.
Patricia Garnel, 53, who lives in Ulwell Road, said: “I knew something was happening as we started hearing sirens non-stop from around 8, 8:30 a.m.
“As I was driving to the ferry the road was closed. I made it around, got to the ferry and police, ambulances, and fire brigades were crossing from Poole to Swanage. It was a huge apparatus. One I’ve never seen.”
On Thursday morning, police told media that the families of those who died have been informed and the coroner has been notified.
Dorset Council, the local authority responsible for social care in the town, said in a statement: “We are working with the home’s owners Agincare, emergency services and other partner agencies to support the residents of the care home who have been evacuated.
“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.”
