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Coroner calls for action over hotel carbon monoxide deaths Coroner calls for action over hotel carbon monoxide deaths
(about 1 hour later)
A coroner has called on the government to introduce new EU legislation to prevent deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in holiday properties.A coroner has called on the government to introduce new EU legislation to prevent deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in holiday properties.
David Hinchliff, the West Yorkshire coroner, said safety standards should be improved across Europe following the deaths of Christi and Bobby Shepherd, aged seven and six, in Corfu in 2006.David Hinchliff, the West Yorkshire coroner, said safety standards should be improved across Europe following the deaths of Christi and Bobby Shepherd, aged seven and six, in Corfu in 2006.
Hinchliff has made a number of recommendations after an inquest jury concluded that the tour operator Thomas Cook breached its duty of care over the deaths of the children. Hinchliff made a number of recommendations after an inquest jury concluded that the tour operator Thomas Cook breached its duty of care over the deaths of the children.
In his report, the coroner said: “During the course of the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.In his report, the coroner said: “During the course of the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.
“The relevant UK government department should consult, draft, instigate and implement EU legislation on gas installations and carbon monoxide safety and introduce common minimal standards for all hotels, apartments and other holiday premises. The government should do its utmost to encourage and promote through legislation and improvement of safety standards across Europe.” “The relevant UK government department should consult, draft, instigate and implement EU legislation on gas installations and carbon monoxide safety and introduce common minimal standards for all hotels, apartments and other holiday premises. The government should do its utmost to encourage and promote through legislation [the] improvement of safety standards across Europe.”
Christi and Bobby, from Horbury, near Wakefield, died at the Louis Corcyra beach hotel when they were overcome by fumes from a faulty boiler. The jury in the inquest, which concluded in May, read out a series of conclusions, including that Thomas Cook had been misled by the hotel about its gas supply but also that the holiday giant’s health and safety audit of the complex had been inadequate.Christi and Bobby, from Horbury, near Wakefield, died at the Louis Corcyra beach hotel when they were overcome by fumes from a faulty boiler. The jury in the inquest, which concluded in May, read out a series of conclusions, including that Thomas Cook had been misled by the hotel about its gas supply but also that the holiday giant’s health and safety audit of the complex had been inadequate.
Hinchliff has sent his recommendations to Thomas Cook, the hotel group, the Federation of Tour Operators, ABTA and a number of government departments. He called for Thomas Cook to be at the forefront of travel industry efforts to improve health and safety measures.Hinchliff has sent his recommendations to Thomas Cook, the hotel group, the Federation of Tour Operators, ABTA and a number of government departments. He called for Thomas Cook to be at the forefront of travel industry efforts to improve health and safety measures.
The recommendations include installing carbon monoxide detectors in holiday properties; setting up a register of properties’ service histories, with audits at least once a year; and health and safety ratings.The recommendations include installing carbon monoxide detectors in holiday properties; setting up a register of properties’ service histories, with audits at least once a year; and health and safety ratings.
A Thomas Cook Group spokeswoman said the company welcomed Hinchliff’s report. She said: “As a company we are now reviewing his report and the suggestions he has made for both the wider travel industry and for Thomas Cook.A Thomas Cook Group spokeswoman said the company welcomed Hinchliff’s report. She said: “As a company we are now reviewing his report and the suggestions he has made for both the wider travel industry and for Thomas Cook.
“We will continue to work with the travel industry and ABTA to identify possible improvements that may be appropriate for implementation across the industry. We are already working with [Bobby and Christi’s mother] Sharon Wood on a new initiative to raise awareness about carbon monoxide, in order to tackle some of the issues head on.”“We will continue to work with the travel industry and ABTA to identify possible improvements that may be appropriate for implementation across the industry. We are already working with [Bobby and Christi’s mother] Sharon Wood on a new initiative to raise awareness about carbon monoxide, in order to tackle some of the issues head on.”
Mary Creagh, the Labour MP for Wakefield, said: “The coroner’s report makes clear that the government should be leading on improving carbon monoxide safety standards in holiday premises across Europe. The prime minister should prioritise the safety of British tourists as he renegotiates the UK’s relationship with the EU.Mary Creagh, the Labour MP for Wakefield, said: “The coroner’s report makes clear that the government should be leading on improving carbon monoxide safety standards in holiday premises across Europe. The prime minister should prioritise the safety of British tourists as he renegotiates the UK’s relationship with the EU.
“As one of the world’s largest travel companies, Thomas Cook now has an opportunity to show leadership and make real changes to prevent another tragedy. Where it leads, others will follow.”“As one of the world’s largest travel companies, Thomas Cook now has an opportunity to show leadership and make real changes to prevent another tragedy. Where it leads, others will follow.”