GREECE: Corfu church memorial held for two children who died in gas posioning accident while on holiday; partner of children's father out of intensive

Record ID: 712377

  • Title: GREECE: Corfu church memorial held for two children who died in gas posioning accident while on holiday; partner of children's father out of intensive
  • Date: 30th October 2006
  • Summary: EXTERIOR OF LOUIS CORCYRA BEACH HOTEL VARIOUS OF INTERIOR OF ONE OF THE BUNGALOWS AT THE LOUIS CORCYRA BEACH HOTEL SUCH AS THE ONE THE FAMILY STAYED IN
  • Embargoed: 14th November 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA89K78E5SSL34QM5BAPKQQ7H2G
  • Story Text: Foreign tourists and residents of Corfu island attended a memorial service on Sunday (October 29) for two children who died by carbon monoxide poisoning in a Corfu hotel last week.
    Neil Shepherd, his children Christianne and Robert, and his partner Ruth Beatson, from West Yorkshire, suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in their hotel bungalow on Thursday (October 26) at the Louis Corcyra Beach hotel while on holiday. The two children were dead when found by the maid while the couple were in a coma.
    People packed Corfu's Anglican Church to pay tribute to six year old Robert and seven year old Christianne and say prayers for their father and his partner recuperating in hospital.
    Doctors said Beatson had been removed from the intensive care unit where she was being treated as her condition showed further improvement.
    Shepherd was still in intensive care as although his condition was improving it was at a slower pace.
    Doctors also said a psychologist is at Sheperd's bedside as he had not yet been told of the death of his children.
    The couple came out of the coma on Friday and the following day doctors said their lives were out of danger.
    "The condition of the patients is progressing positively. The lady I am happy to say has been moved from the intensive care unit to a regular ward in our hospital, doctors hope that in a few days she can leave the hospital. As far as the father is concerned, he is still in intensive care.His health is also progressing positively, and the doctors are optimistic, but they believe his therapy will require a few more days," said Hospital Director Yannis Mantzaropoulos.
    The mother of the two children, Sharon Wood arrived on the island on Friday and has since visited the mortuary to identify the children. She also visited the hotel room where the tragedy took place, clearly shaken and requiring support to stay upright. She has not spoken to reporters although local media was reporting she was making arrangements to fly the children back to Britain for the funeral. It was also reported that she had visited Shepherd in the hospital on Saturday.
    The parents of Ruth Beatson have also arrived on the island and have been with their daughter in hospital. Local media reported that she has been informed of the children's death.
    The incident has sent shockwaves through the popular island and rattled its tourist industry. Corfu survives off tourism and is very popular with British tourists. Many British citizens are also permanent residents on the island. Guests staying at the same hotel expressed fears and concerns after it was confirmed by a coroner on Saturday that the deaths were due to the deadly gas, possibly from a leak by a boiler at the back of the bungalow where the family were staying.
    The incident prompted Greece's National Tourism Organization President to visit the island and follow the investigation.
    Dimitris Lambadarios said he was in constant contact by telephone with the country's Tourism Minister Fanni Petralia, updating her on developments.
    "It is an extremely unfortunate incident but it is an accident, and it must not damage Greek tourism, particularly during this period when Greece is the focus of attention for tourism."
    Police officials said charges of manslaughter due to negligence may be brought against the hotel owners and management, as well as the maintenance company responsible for the upkeep of the gas boiler, once the investigation by police and engineers was complete, most likely in the next few days.
    Hotel management representatives said on Saturday they were fully cooperating with authorities.
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