Gainsborough Nursing Home Deaths: Woman Released Under Investigation

A woman arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the deaths of three nursing home residents has been released while police investigations continue.

The 60-year-old was being questioned by investigators after two men, aged 74 and 91, and an 86-year-old woman were found dead at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage on Wednesday morning.

Dorset Police previously said the deaths were being treated as “unexplained” but possible carbon monoxide poisoning was still being investigated.

Seven people were taken to hospital as a precaution and were not in serious condition, police added.

A police cordon remains in front of the house with caution tape on the hedges and officers standing outside.

Forensic investigators, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and two Health and Safety Executive staff had arrived at the scene earlier.

Emergency services were first called to the house on Ulwell Road at 5.20am BST on Wednesday.

About 40 residents of the home were later taken, some in wheelchairs, to All Saints Church, not far away.

Police said the families of the deceased have been informed and the coroner has been notified.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent’s Dorset Breakfast show, the town’s deputy mayor Chris Moreton said: “My main thought this morning is of course for the families who have lost loved ones.”

Mr Moreton said he went to the church on Ulwell Road with his wife on Wednesday morning to offer help when residents arrived.

“The response of the emergency services gives a first impression of the situation, which I would describe as dire,” he said.

“The way it happened so quickly shocked everyone – thank you to those who made the effort.”

“The [care home] The staff are traumatized… we will do our best to support them.”

All Saints Vicar Jo Levasier opened the church on Wednesday morning to welcome residents of the nursing home.

Pastor Jo Levasier said she was awakened in the early hours of the morning by a call asking her to use the church hall.

“I’m glad someone made a plan and the nursing home knew who to call,” she said.

“It took several hours for everyone to evacuate. We used every room in the church – it’s full of all the emergency services… I have to say the emergency services were absolutely amazing.”

She said that after a torrential rain, while residents were being taken to the church, “a call came in for dry blankets and loads showed up.”

“It was wonderful to see how people wanted to help and support each other,” she added.

Resident Maggie O’Neill said sirens could be heard “all over Swanage” as emergency services responded to the town.

She said she ran to offer help after finding people being wheeled down the street to the church hall and saw “about 40 people” wrapped in blankets and wearing pajamas who “looked distressed.”

Ms O’Neil said she then helped prepare hot drinks for the residents and brought them biscuits.

“It was so early in the morning that they were taken out of their beds at around 7.30am – it was a shock to them,” she said.

“No one could have cared more about the people who lived in Gainsborough.”

She said the church was flooded with people offering to help.

“It just speaks to me of the kindness and the openness that they show… I’m amazed at how much people have helped each other,” she added.

Gas distribution company SGN said engineers had completed safety checks at the nursing home on Wednesday evening and were no longer on site.

In a statement, the company said: “We can confirm that there has been no gas leak on our network.”

“We want to reassure the community that the gas network in their area is in order.”

A local bakery donated several boxes of pastries to comfort evacuated nursing home residents, while a restaurant sent bags of fish and chips.

Dorset South MP Lloyd Hatton said the nursing home deaths were a “devastating blow to the entire community”.

“It’s a place with a really strong community and people look after each other and look after each other – it was fantastic to see that community spirit at play,” he added.

Dorset City Council said all 44 residents at the home had been moved to temporary care home accommodation.

The authority said they were either in other Agincare nursing homes, nursing homes in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole or Dorset council areas, or in hospitals.

“A small number of residents have been relocated to Agincare homes in Hampshire and West Sussex,” the council added.