THREE people have died in ‘unexplained’ circumstances at a Swanage care home.
Police were called to the Gainsborough Care Home, in Ulwell Road, by the ambulance service at just after 7.15am on Wednesday morning (October 23).
It came after the South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS) sent 10 crews to the site at around 5.20am.
Dorset Police said the deaths are being treated as unexplained and an investigation had got underway.
Four other people were taken to hospital as a precaution and other residents of the home were evacuated to a safe location.
“There remains a significant multi-agency presence in place at the address and a cordon remains in place as we work with partners to carry out further enquires,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.
“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 with the families of those who have sadly died at this extremely difficult time.”
The news comes after firefighters were called to the scene by the ambulance service.
Four fire crews – from Swanage, Wareham, Westbourne and Poole – were sent to the scene along with a support vehicle from Dorchester and two crews from Winchester.
After the call, a Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We are working with Dorset Police, the South West Ambulance Service and other partners to resolve this incident.
“We are asking the public to avoid the area to allow the emergency services to deal with this incident.”
Meanwhile, the South West Ambulance Service (SWAS) said a Hazard Area Response Team, 10 ambulances and more were sent to the scene when the initial emergency call was made.
Mayor of Swanage, Cllr 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.
“I would like to pay particular tribute to our amazing emergency services who have responded so efficiently to today’s events.”
In a statement, Dorset Council said it was “deeply saddened” by the incident and was working to support those still living at the home.
“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,” it added.
“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.”
Leave a Reply