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Post-mortems for Corfu children Post-mortems for Corfu children
(about 2 hours later)
Post-mortem examinations are to be carried out later on two UK children found dead in a hotel room in Corfu.Post-mortem examinations are to be carried out later on two UK children found dead in a hotel room in Corfu.
It is not known how Robert Shepherd, six, and sister Christianne, seven, died. Fears of a possible gas leak or poisoning are being investigated.It is not known how Robert Shepherd, six, and sister Christianne, seven, died. Fears of a possible gas leak or poisoning are being investigated.
Their father Neil Shepherd and his partner Ruth Beatson, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, were found unconscious in the same room and are critical.Their father Neil Shepherd and his partner Ruth Beatson, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, were found unconscious in the same room and are critical.
The family was found by a cleaner in a luxury hotel in the village of Gouvia.The family was found by a cleaner in a luxury hotel in the village of Gouvia.
The children's natural mother has been informed of their deaths. The children lived with their natural mother in the West Yorkshire town.
She flew out to the island with her new husband on Thursday afternoon after they were told of the deaths.
A police spokesman in Greece said post-mortem examinations were to be carried out on Friday, and toxicology tests would point to the cause of death.A police spokesman in Greece said post-mortem examinations were to be carried out on Friday, and toxicology tests would point to the cause of death.
A number of theories are being considered - including the suggestion that the family may have been poisoned by something they ate, or may have been victims of a gas leak.A number of theories are being considered - including the suggestion that the family may have been poisoned by something they ate, or may have been victims of a gas leak.
The BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Corfu, said the cause of death remained a "mystery" because sources at Corfu General Hospital had said early tests suggested the family had not consumed anything poisonous.The BBC's Malcolm Brabant, in Corfu, said the cause of death remained a "mystery" because sources at Corfu General Hospital had said early tests suggested the family had not consumed anything poisonous.
The stomach contents of all the four people have been sent to a university on the mainland for toxicology tests Police spokesmanThe stomach contents of all the four people have been sent to a university on the mainland for toxicology tests Police spokesman
Many hotel guests feared that the family may have been overwhelmed by "toxic fumes" that may have been related to a heating system, he said.Many hotel guests feared that the family may have been overwhelmed by "toxic fumes" that may have been related to a heating system, he said.
He also said guests had reported seeing Robert collapse at breakfast earlier in the day, and that the family had complained of feeling "woozy".He also said guests had reported seeing Robert collapse at breakfast earlier in the day, and that the family had complained of feeling "woozy".
The children's father, 38, and his 28-year-old partner are in the intensive care unit of the local hospital, and are in a critical condition.The children's father, 38, and his 28-year-old partner are in the intensive care unit of the local hospital, and are in a critical condition.
Stefanos Gasteratos, a pathologist at Corfu General, said the cause of death was under investigation, although "first indications show the ingestion of a powerful poison", although he said toxicology test results would provide more information.Stefanos Gasteratos, a pathologist at Corfu General, said the cause of death was under investigation, although "first indications show the ingestion of a powerful poison", although he said toxicology test results would provide more information.
Fishing villageFishing village
A Greek police spokesman said food poisoning, particularly mushrooms, was a possible cause. The hotel said no-one else had been taken ill.A Greek police spokesman said food poisoning, particularly mushrooms, was a possible cause. The hotel said no-one else had been taken ill.
The family, from Horbury near Wakefield, was on a week's holiday with Thomas Cook for the school half-term break.The family, from Horbury near Wakefield, was on a week's holiday with Thomas Cook for the school half-term break.
Brian Holmes, a neighbour, described Mr Shepherd as "a really good family man" who "loves his children".Brian Holmes, a neighbour, described Mr Shepherd as "a really good family man" who "loves his children".
Meanwhile, the tour company said: "At this stage it is not possible to speculate on the causes, however we are working closely with the hospital and the police to gain further information and to support the family."Meanwhile, the tour company said: "At this stage it is not possible to speculate on the causes, however we are working closely with the hospital and the police to gain further information and to support the family."
The Louis Corcyra hotel, where the family were staying, is in Gouvia, a small fishing village about five miles north of Corfu town. It is considered an upmarket destination.The Louis Corcyra hotel, where the family were staying, is in Gouvia, a small fishing village about five miles north of Corfu town. It is considered an upmarket destination.
The Louis Corcyra has strongly denied any possibility of food poisoning at the hotel.The Louis Corcyra has strongly denied any possibility of food poisoning at the hotel.
Last year 100,000 British tourists visited Corfu, and travel specialists say the deaths will have a big impact on the island.Last year 100,000 British tourists visited Corfu, and travel specialists say the deaths will have a big impact on the island.