SWANAGE has been left in shock after three elderly residents were found dead at a care home. 

A huge emergency response followed the incident on Wednesday morning and seven other people were rushed to hospital.

Residents of the town were left devastated and saddened by the deaths at the home, with distraught staff seen sobbing and comforting one another outside. 

Swanage ward councillor Gary Suttle said there are suspicions of carbon monoxide being involved.

Superintendent Heather Dixey told reporters on Wednesday evening that the force is pursuing potential carbon monoxide poisoning as their “primary line of inquiry”.  

A mass evacuation of all 48 residents, some of whom have dementia, was ordered and they were taken to the nearby All Saints church hall. 

Volunteers provided blankets and bacon sandwiches to the stranded residents and staff who had nowhere else to go. 

(Image: BNPS) Emergency services outside the care home in Ulwell RoadEmergency services outside the care home in Ulwell Road (Image: BNPS) Volunteer taking bacon sandwiches to the churchVolunteer taking bacon sandwiches to the church (Image: BNPS)

Meanwhile, a major emergency response was seen outside both the care home and church, including around 10 ambulances and a "significant" number of additional resources, fire engines from across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire as well as a huge number of police vehicles. 

Patricia Garnel, who lives in Ulwell Road, said she started hearing sirens “non-stop” from around 8am. 

“I knew something was happening as we started hearing sirens non-stop from around 8, 8.30am,” the 53-year-old said.  

“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.” 

Susan, out walking with her husband, said she saw an “amazing procession of ambulances” driving down Ulwell Road towards the church. 

(Image: BNPS) (Image: BNPS) (Image: BNPS)

She added: “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s so sad for the home and its residents.” 

Kitchen worker at the care home Salama Ehounain, 34, said: “We had to take everybody out of the building, and we were told to move to the church, these were the instructions. 

“Everything is fine [inside the church]. There’s a good community here and people have come to help... but it's important to know everybody is fine [in the church].”  

Another resident, who asked for anonymity, said: “The home has such beautiful grounds, there are trees and willows, and as far as I know it’s had a good reputation. 

“But this is just sad. Seeing all these firefighters, police officers and doctors is just heart breaking.”

 

Dorset Police spokesman said officers are carrying out enquiries to “establish the full circumstances” adding the force is “continuing to liaise with our partner agencies”. 

He added: “The families of those who have died have been informed and the coroner has been notified. 

“The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched. 

“Four other people have been taken to hospital as a precaution and other residents of the address have been evacuated to a safe location as emergency services respond to the incident.” 

He added: “At this time there is nothing to indicate any risk to the wider public.  

“We understand this incident will have a significant impact on the Swanage community and our thoughts are very much with the families of those who have sadly died at this extremely difficult time.” 

Gary Suttle, from Dorset Council, said: “Our condolences and sympathy are with those who have lost their lives in this tragic event.” 

The councillor said evacuated care home residents were initially taken to All Saint’s Church, near the scene, and will be moved to other placements. 

He told of residents “kindly” going to the church with blankets in acts of “great community support”. 

South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton said: “I am deeply saddened by the serious incident that has taken place at a care home in Swanage today - where three people have passed away. 

"My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones of those who have sadly passed. 

"I would like to extend my thanks to all of the emergency services for their rapid response.” 

Swanage mayor Tina Foster said: "On behalf of Swanage Town Council I send my condolences to the families, friends and carers of those who passed away at Gainsborough Care Home earlier today.

"Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this incident at this difficult time."

Cllr Foster added: "I would like to pay particular tribute to our amazing emergency services who have responded so efficiently to today’s events."

Katie Lobban, spokeswoman for gas network company SGN, said the company was called to the home as the national gas emergency service for the south of England. 

She added: "Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this tragic incident." 

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Neil Tidball added crews from Swanage, Wareham, Westbourne, Poole, a support vehicle from Dorchester, along with two crews from Winchester were all called to Swanage. 

He added: "Firefighters are working with Dorset Police, South West Ambulance Service and other partners to resolve this incident." 

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “Dorset Council is deeply saddened to hear of the deaths at the Gainsborough care home in Swanage.

"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.

"At this time there is nothing to indicate any risk to the wider public. 

"We understand this incident will have a significant impact on the Swanage community and our thoughts are very much with the families of those who have sadly died at this extremely difficult time.”

Speculation is rife in Swanage that the cause of the deaths was a gas leak leading to carbon monoxide poisoning, although this has not been confirmed by the authorities. 

Gainsborough Care Home’s spokesman said staff are working “closely” with agencies to “manage the welfare of all concerned. 

He added: “The wellbeing of residents is always our overriding priority, and part of the local business continuity plan was to transfer residents in a managed way to a local village hall and church, where they remain safe and well. 

“We appreciate that this is a stressful and worrying time for those involved, and have allocated extra staffing resources to provide support locally. We are contacting and updating residents’ families.  

“We will continue to work with the lead local authority services to return residents into their home at the earliest opportunity, and will provide further updates in due course.” 

A spokesperson for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said: “CQC are aware of the tragic developments at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage Dorset. Our condolences are with those affected.   

“We are in contact with the provider and the emergency services to ensure other residents are kept safe. We will continue to closely monitor this situation.” 

A HSE spokesman said: “We are currently supporting Dorset Police and the other relevant authorities.”

Dorset's police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said: “My heartfelt condolences go to the loved ones of those who have died in this tragic incident. I hope those who have been hospitalised make a speedy recovery.

“My thanks go to all the emergency services and support agencies for their rapid response to this incident.

“An investigation led by Dorset Police is now under way. I urge people to respect the privacy of everyone affected."