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Family tribute for Corfu children Family tribute for Corfu children
(about 1 hour later)
Two British children feared to have died from poisoning during a Greek holiday have been described as "gorgeous" by family members.Two British children feared to have died from poisoning during a Greek holiday have been described as "gorgeous" by family members.
It is not known how Robert Shepherd, six, and sister Christianne, seven, died, but an official statement is due. Officials are still investigating how Robert Shepherd, six, and sister Christianne, seven, died.
Their father, Neil Shepherd and his partner, Ruth Beatson, both of W Yorks, remain seriously ill in Corfu.Their father, Neil Shepherd and his partner, Ruth Beatson, both of W Yorks, remain seriously ill in Corfu.
Ms Beatson's mother, Helen, said: "They were gorgeous children. That's all we want to say."Ms Beatson's mother, Helen, said: "They were gorgeous children. That's all we want to say."
Her father, Stephen, told reporters the family had "absolutely no idea what had happened".Her father, Stephen, told reporters the family had "absolutely no idea what had happened".
The pair flew to the Greek island on Friday to be at their daughter's bedside.The pair flew to the Greek island on Friday to be at their daughter's bedside.
After they arrived, 27-year-old Ms Beatson regained consciousness and managed to smile - although she has not yet spoken to anyone.
Mr Shepherd, 38, who is separated from the children's biological mother, was understood to have improved slightly overnight.
Gas leak probeGas leak probe
A cleaner at the hotel, in the village of Gouvia, discovered the two children dead in their room on Thursday morning. On Thursday morning, a cleaner at the hotel in the village of Gouvia discovered the two children dead in their room, and Ms Beatson and Mr Shepherd unconscious.
Mr Shepherd, 38, and 27-year-old Ms Beatson - from Horbury near Wakefield - were unconscious and were taken to intensive care at a local hospital. The couple, from Horbury near Wakefield, were thought to be in a coma and were taken to Corfu General Hospital.
Greek police said the father's condition had improved slightly overnight.
On Friday afternoon, Ms Beatson was understood to have regained consciousness but had not managed to speak to anyone.
Officials are investigating whether the family could have been poisoned by a gas leak or by something they ate.Officials are investigating whether the family could have been poisoned by a gas leak or by something they ate.
Police said engineers would be checking the installation of air conditioning and boiler systems at the hotel on Friday afternoon.Police said engineers would be checking the installation of air conditioning and boiler systems at the hotel on Friday afternoon.
BBC correspondent Luisa Baldini said Britons at the hotel had been queuing up to buy British newspapers to try to find out more. A pathologist at the hospital told reporters that he suspected the family had ingested a "powerful poison".
She said children's clothes remained outside the family's holiday bungalow. Toxicology tests were taken and post-mortem examinations were being carried out on Friday, with the results expected in two weeks' time.
The children lived with their biological mother in the West Yorkshire town. 'Woozy' complaints
She flew out to the island with her new husband on Thursday afternoon after hearing of the deaths. The children lived with their biological mother in Horbury. She flew out to the island with her new husband on Thursday when they were told of the deaths.
One of Mr Shepherd's neighbours in the UK, Brian Holmes, described him as "a really good family man" who "loves his children". The family had been taking a week's holiday for the school half-term break. They stayed at the Louis Corcyra hotel in Gouvia - a small fishing village near Corfu town which is considered an upmarket destination.
'Powerful poison'
A police spokesman in Greece said post-mortem examinations were due to be carried out on Friday and toxicology tests would indicate how the children died.
The hotel says no other guests have been taken illThe hotel says no other guests have been taken ill
Earlier, Stefanos Gasteratos, a pathologist at Corfu General Hospital, said "first indications" showed the "ingestion of a powerful poison", although he said toxicology test results would provide more information. Thomas Cook, the company they were travelling with, said it was working closely with the hospital and the police to gain further information and to support the family.
Guests reported seeing Robert collapse at breakfast on Wednesday and that the family had complained of feeling "woozy". BBC correspondent Luisa Baldini said Britons at the hotel had been queuing up to buy British newspapers to try to find out what has been happening.
The family was taking a week's holiday with Thomas Cook for the school half-term break. A pile of children's clothes remained outside the family's holiday bungalow, she added.
The tour company said it would not speculate on the cause of death but added it was working closely with the hospital and the police to gain further information and to support the family. Guests at the hotel told how they recalled seeing Robert collapse at breakfast on Wednesday, and that the family had complained of feeling "woozy".
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. But the Louis Corcyra strongly denied any possibility of food poisoning at the hotel, saying none of the other guests was taken ill.
The Louis Corcyra has strongly denied any possibility of food poisoning at the hotel.
Last year 100,000 British tourists visited Corfu. Travel specialists say the deaths will have a big impact on the island.Last year 100,000 British tourists visited Corfu. Travel specialists say the deaths will have a big impact on the island.