General Chat

It seems these poor kiddies died of Carbon Monoside poisoning: 'CORFU, Greece (Reuters) - Two British children found dead in a Corfu hotel room earlier this week died of carbon monoxide poisoning, a Greek coroner said on Saturday. 'A large quantity of carbon monoxide was found in their systems,' Theodore Vougiouklakis, one of two coroners who performed autopsies on the children, told reporters. The toxic fumes probably entered the room where the children were sleeping from a leaking pipe connecting a gas-fired water boiler outside the room, authorities said. 'The toxicological analysis performed at the University of Ioannina forensic laboratory on the blood of the two victims showed that the cause of death was carbon monoxide intoxication,' Vougiouklakis told Reuters Television. Complete toxological results will be known in about 10 to 15 days, he said. Charges of manslaughter due to negligence may be levelled against the hotel and the maintenance company responsible for the upkeep of the gas boiler, once the investigation has been completed, police officials said. The hotel's management said it was cooperating with the police investigating the tragic deaths. 'The police and specialists are investigating the case, it's too early for conclusions,' said George Hrisikopoulos, manager of the hotel. 'We are working with the police.' Neil Shepherd, his children Christianne, 7, and Robert, 6, and his partner Ruth Beatson, from West Yorkshire, were found in their bungalow on Thursday by a maid at the four-star beachfront hotel on the Ionian Sea island. Shepherd and Beatson were rushed to hospital in Corfu and remained there after coming out of a coma. 'I would say that we are optimistic that they are out of danger,' Yannis Mantzaropoulos, director of the Corfu General Hospital, told reporters. 'The woman is recuperating better than the man, not that the man isn't also doing well.' Both will remain in intensive care at least for Saturday. Mantzaropoulos could not say whether the father had been told of the children's deaths. 'I would say, for obvious reasons, I do not believe this has happened yet,' he said. Beatson's parents have arrived from Britain, as has the children's mother, who declined to speak to reporters after coming out of the morgue where she identified the children.' Debbie

This hotel has had millions spent on it in the last year ready for this year's intake and it is very impressive to the eye. I know it very well as I go to Gouvia every year and we use the grounds as a cut-thru plus my friends stayed there. If the owners had concetrated on making sure that the boilers, etc were up to spec in the existing apartments first before spending vast sums on the new-builds then this pay family would still all be alive. I've just checked my tour operator and it looks like they've pulled out all the holidays for next year.

What a tragedy, Both children die, but appears not to be murder seems to be as I suspected, carbon monoxide Some one will have to pay for this tragic accident Bob

Just been on the news. They are now investigating carbon monoxide poisoning. Father is slightly improved, partner no change, Linda

Hi PP, I saw your previous post about father and partner, the report I had posted must have got it wrong. I had deleted it anyway. Suddenly thought, after I'd posted it, that if anyone read it on here, and realised they knew them..... I'd feel dreadful! That's why I've deleted. Debbie

Deborah, this was their father and his partner, not their mum, I saw on the news, where the reporter was talking to neighbours of the dad. Such a dreadful tragedy, and if they ate out and had poisonous mushrooms how come other people who ate at the same place, haven't been reported as ill or worse? I still think it was probably the heater.

Feel sad that people are jumping to conclusions and casting aspersions on the parents, as there are many possible causes for this tragedy. One reported took a local plumber to look at the outside of the room and he saw what looked like a dodgy water heater outside so could have been carbon monoxide poisoning. Also someone else said the little boy had collapsed at the table the previous day and the family said they felt whoozy and that would tie in with the c.m. theory. I would imagine this is a dreadful tragic accident and can't imagine how the children's mum is feeling, having sent off her children with their father (who english neighbours said was a wonderful father) and his partner for a half term holiday, never to have them back again happy and ready for school - it must surely be breaking her heart. Liz

Yes, it is very sad, but having had to deal with a suicide of a close relative 25 years ago, I would be very, very wary of making any sort of judgment until the real truth is known.

so sad,hope they find out what it was,i pray its nothing like a suicide pact

i heard about the mushrooms too

seems a strange thing to have happened,on the news they didnt know why the family didnt get help when they fell ill. and apparantley loud noises and shouting was heard the night before they was found!

I read that it could have poisoning by mushrooms.... only what I read... I'm allergic to mushrooms myself - so don't touch them.

This is such a tragedy. I go to Gouvia every year for my holidays and can probably name the 5* hotel where it happened. If it was a suicide pact then those parents (if they pull through) have a lot to answer for...those poor little mites' lives have been snuffed out before they have begun.

Watched this at lunchtime they think it may have been a suicide pact. Only thing wrong here the children had to die instead of the people that made the pact. Why cant they leave the children out of it, makes me soooo mad Linda

How awful, the latest theory...........My first assumption was Carbon Monoxide...........at least that would have been an accident...............of sorts....... Bob

Oh, Thanks for the update.... not that I really wanted to hear it. It makes my blood run cold having two young grandchildren who are so precious to us all and are so loved. When you mention something like poison it conjures up thoughts that the parents are responsible. Terrible tragedy especially when children are involved whatever the circumstances surrounding it. Aileen xxx

So sad xx

UK children found dead in Corfu Two British children have been found dead in a hotel room on the island of Corfu, Greek police have said. Their parents were found unconscious in the same hotel room and are now in hospital in comas. It is not yet known how the children died but a local coroner has suggested they could have consumed some kind of strong poison. The family, who have not been named, were found by a cleaner in their hotel in the village of Gouvia. The coroner is due to carry out a post mortem examination on the children on Thursday afternoon. He told Greek television news there was evidence that a strong poison had been consumed. He said the children - a boy aged seven and a five-year-old girl - might have been dead for 10 hours when they were found.

How terrible. Thoughts and prayers for their family. Mary in Spain

Oh how awful. Can't ever get to see any news lately-always kids progs on. Poor family thoughts go out to them catherine xx