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'Boiler errors' caused fatal leak 'Boiler errors' caused fatal leak
(about 4 hours later)
Errors in installing and maintaining a gas boiler caused a carbon monoxide leak which led to the deaths of two children, a court has heard.Errors in installing and maintaining a gas boiler caused a carbon monoxide leak which led to the deaths of two children, a court has heard.
Thomas Cook employees, Nicola Gibson, 25, and Richard Carson, 27, are charged with the manslaughter by negligence of Robert and Christianne Shepherd.Thomas Cook employees, Nicola Gibson, 25, and Richard Carson, 27, are charged with the manslaughter by negligence of Robert and Christianne Shepherd.
The children, aged six and seven, died after becoming overcome by fumes while on holiday in October 2006.The children, aged six and seven, died after becoming overcome by fumes while on holiday in October 2006.
A mechanical engineer said the boiler was the worst he had see in 50 years. A mechanical engineer said the boiler was the worst he had seen in 50 years.
The court in Corfu was told Harry Rogers investigated the bungalow at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia shortly after the deaths.The court in Corfu was told Harry Rogers investigated the bungalow at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia shortly after the deaths.
'Fatal levels''Fatal levels'
Describing the boiler the retired medical engineer told the court: "It's the worst installation I've ever witnessed in 50 years".Describing the boiler the retired medical engineer told the court: "It's the worst installation I've ever witnessed in 50 years".
He likened it to a loaded gun, saying: "You can play with a gun for so long and it may not go off, but in certain circumstances someone will get killed."He likened it to a loaded gun, saying: "You can play with a gun for so long and it may not go off, but in certain circumstances someone will get killed."
Mr Rogers said the leak was caused by a wired-out gas valve, a bypassed thermostat, the lack of a flue and chimney, and a gap between the family's bungalow and the outhouse where the boiler was contained.Mr Rogers said the leak was caused by a wired-out gas valve, a bypassed thermostat, the lack of a flue and chimney, and a gap between the family's bungalow and the outhouse where the boiler was contained.
He said: "The parts that should have been fitted were on the floor - the flue that should have been fitted in the top of the boiler was on the floor."He said: "The parts that should have been fitted were on the floor - the flue that should have been fitted in the top of the boiler was on the floor."
He told the court a concentration of less than 1% of carbon monoxide in air can be fatal within minutes.He told the court a concentration of less than 1% of carbon monoxide in air can be fatal within minutes.
We had a contract with Thomas Cook and they had a duty of care, they should have protected my children Sharon Wood, the children's motherWe had a contract with Thomas Cook and they had a duty of care, they should have protected my children Sharon Wood, the children's mother
He said tests carried out in the bungalow with the boiler in operation showed a "large volume" of gas and that it was "recording carbon monoxide levels that were fatal within a minute".He said tests carried out in the bungalow with the boiler in operation showed a "large volume" of gas and that it was "recording carbon monoxide levels that were fatal within a minute".
When asked what caused such a drastic fault, he replied: "It's basically due to poor maintenance and its installation."When asked what caused such a drastic fault, he replied: "It's basically due to poor maintenance and its installation."
He was then asked what responsibility he thought Thomas Cook had in terms of maintaining the appliance.He was then asked what responsibility he thought Thomas Cook had in terms of maintaining the appliance.
He said: "I don't know how the tour operator operates, but if any reasonable person that had reasonable knowledge... could inspect that boiler - they did not need to be a rocket scientist to know something was wrong."He said: "I don't know how the tour operator operates, but if any reasonable person that had reasonable knowledge... could inspect that boiler - they did not need to be a rocket scientist to know something was wrong."
Holiday rep Ms Gibson and health and safety inspector Mr Carson are on trial with nine Greek nationals, including staff from the hotel where the family were staying.Holiday rep Ms Gibson and health and safety inspector Mr Carson are on trial with nine Greek nationals, including staff from the hotel where the family were staying.
Ruth Beatson and the children's father Neil Shepherd survived the poisoningRuth Beatson and the children's father Neil Shepherd survived the poisoning
A 12th defendant was earlier discharged.A 12th defendant was earlier discharged.
Also giving evidence to the court, the children's mother Sharon Wood, who was at home in the UK, said she heard of the deaths of two children in Greece on the news, without knowing it was Robert and Christianne.Also giving evidence to the court, the children's mother Sharon Wood, who was at home in the UK, said she heard of the deaths of two children in Greece on the news, without knowing it was Robert and Christianne.
Around half an hour later two police officers arrived to tell Mrs Wood of the deaths.Around half an hour later two police officers arrived to tell Mrs Wood of the deaths.
Asked if she thought the checks of gas appliances Thomas Cook carried out were satisfactory, Mrs Wood said: "I believe it's their responsibility to ensure that things are safe.Asked if she thought the checks of gas appliances Thomas Cook carried out were satisfactory, Mrs Wood said: "I believe it's their responsibility to ensure that things are safe.
"We had a contract with Thomas Cook and they had a duty of care, they should have protected my children.""We had a contract with Thomas Cook and they had a duty of care, they should have protected my children."
The children had been on holiday with their father Neil Shepherd and his partner Ruth Beatson.The children had been on holiday with their father Neil Shepherd and his partner Ruth Beatson.
Mr Shepherd and Ms Beatson both fell into comas and were admitted to hospital, but they survived the poisoning.Mr Shepherd and Ms Beatson both fell into comas and were admitted to hospital, but they survived the poisoning.
Thomas Cook has said the accident was "unique and unforeseeable" and was not the fault of Mr Carson or Ms Gibson.Thomas Cook has said the accident was "unique and unforeseeable" and was not the fault of Mr Carson or Ms Gibson.
The case continues.The case continues.