Two children who died on Corfu were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, Greek officials have confirmed.
Two children who died on Corfu were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, Greek officials have confirmed.
A pathologist said very high levels of the gas were found in the bodies of Christianne Shepherd, seven and her brother Robert, six.
A pathologist said very high levels of the gas were found in the bodies of Christianne Shepherd, seven and her brother Robert, six.
The children were found dead in their hotel room next to their father Neil Shepherd and his partner Ruth Beatson.
The children were found dead in their hotel room next to their father Neil Shepherd and his partner Ruth Beatson.
The police are preparing to issue charges of negligent manslaughter against the hotel, the BBC has learned.
The police are preparing to issue charges of negligent manslaughter against the hotel, the BBC has learned.
The charges are being considered against the owner of the Corcyra Palace Hotel, the hotel manager, its maintenance manager and an air conditioning technician, police sources said.
The charges are being considered against the owner of the Corcyra Palace Hotel, the hotel manager, its maintenance manager and an air conditioning technician, police sources said.
The investigation is centred around a gas boiler adjacent to the family's room and experts are now carrying out an examination on that device, as well as air conditioning and water heater systems.
The investigation is centred around a gas boiler adjacent to the family's room and experts are now carrying out an examination on that device, as well as air conditioning and water heater systems.
The children's natural mother, Sharon Wood, 35, has visited the bodies of her children.
The children's natural mother, Sharon Wood, 35, has visited the bodies of her children.
Mr Shepherd, 38, and his partner, 27, have regained consciousness but have not yet received the news of the children's deaths.
Mr Shepherd, 38, and his partner, 27, have regained consciousness but have not yet received the news of the children's deaths.
'Gorgeous' children
'Gorgeous' children
Mrs Wood and a man believed to be her husband were accompanied to the morgue by officials from the British Consul.
Mrs Wood and a man believed to be her husband were accompanied to the morgue by officials from the British Consul.
She then visited the hotel and is understood to have entered the bungalow where her children died, before emerging 20 minutes later and being driven away.
She then visited the hotel and is understood to have entered the bungalow where her children died, before emerging 20 minutes later and being driven away.
CARBON MONOXIDE The gas is a product of incomplete combustion of natural or petroleum gasBlocked flues and chimneys mean the gas cannot escape and is therefore inhaledFifty people in the UK die each year in their homes from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.Inhalation reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen which starves organs and cellsChimneys, flues and gas appliances and heating systems should be inspected regularly
CARBON MONOXIDE The gas is a product of incomplete combustion of natural or petroleum gasBlocked flues and chimneys mean the gas cannot escape and is therefore inhaledFifty people in the UK die each year in their homes from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.Inhalation reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen which starves organs and cellsChimneys, flues and gas appliances and heating systems should be inspected regularly
Hotel manager George Chrysikopoulos refused to comment on the cause of the children's deaths because of concerns over prejudicing the police investigation.
Hotel manager George Chrysikopoulos refused to comment on the cause of the children's deaths because of concerns over prejudicing the police investigation.
But in a statement read in Greek and translated by an assistant, he said: "The hotel management are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life and extend their most deepest condolences and sympathy to the family for their great loss at this time.
But in a statement read in Greek and translated by an assistant, he said: "The hotel management are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life and extend their most deepest condolences and sympathy to the family for their great loss at this time.
"The police are conducting a thorough investigation with which we have and will continue to co-operate."
"The police are conducting a thorough investigation with which we have and will continue to co-operate."
A group of officials in civilian clothes has visited a block of bungalows next to where the family was staying.
One of them, Brian Armstrong, said he was a plumbing expert and had been brought in to check the safety of the boilers.
He used equipment that created white smoke to trace where the flue gases from a boiler in an identical boiler room were going.
A note to Christianne from a young girl has been left at the scene
A note to Christianne from a young girl has been left at the scene
The two children, who lived with their mother in Horbury, near Wakefield, were described as "gorgeous" by family members.
The two children, who lived with their mother in Horbury, near Wakefield, were described as "gorgeous" by family members.
Ms Beatson's father, Stephen, told reporters the family had "absolutely no idea what had happened".
Ms Beatson's father, Stephen, told reporters the family had "absolutely no idea what had happened".
He flew with Ms Beaton's mother, Helen, to the Greek island on Friday to be at their daughter's bedside.
He flew with Ms Beaton's mother, Helen, to the Greek island on Friday to be at their daughter's bedside.
After they arrived, Ms Beatson regained consciousness and managed to smile - although she has not yet spoken to anyone.
After they arrived, Ms Beatson regained consciousness and managed to smile - although she has not yet spoken to anyone.
Mr Shepherd, who is separated from Mrs Wood, has also regained consciousness.
Mr Shepherd, who is separated from Mrs Wood, has also regained consciousness.
Doctors say police will not be able to interview them until psychologists give the go-ahead.
Doctors say police will not be able to interview them until psychologists give the go-ahead.
Child's message
Child's message
A letter written in pencil from a child called Ellie was placed on a table close to the scene of the tragedy along with a small paper plate covered in yellow flowers and petals.
A letter written in pencil from a child called Ellie was placed on a table close to the scene of the tragedy along with a small paper plate covered in yellow flowers and petals.
The message read: "Dear Christie, I hope you are alive. If you're not alive I will be very sad and Isabel too. From Ellie and Isabel."
The message read: "Dear Christie, I hope you are alive. If you're not alive I will be very sad and Isabel too. From Ellie and Isabel."
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.
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.
The couple, from Horbury, were taken to Corfu General Hospital. The results of toxicology tests carried out on the children are due in 10 to 15 days.
The couple, from Horbury, were taken to Corfu General Hospital. The results of toxicology tests carried out on the children are due in 10 to 15 days.
Neil Shepherd has not been told about the deaths of his children
Neil Shepherd has not been told about the deaths of his children
The family had been taking a week's holiday for the school half-term break.
The family had been taking a week's holiday for the school half-term break.
BBC correspondent Malcolm Brabant said other bungalows in the hotel have been closed as a precautionary measure but the hotel overall has not been evacuated, although it is due to shut soon as the holiday season is coming to an end.
BBC correspondent Malcolm Brabant said other bungalows in the hotel have been closed as a precautionary measure but the hotel overall has not been evacuated, although it is due to shut soon as the holiday season is coming to an end.
Thomas Cook, the company the family were travelling with, said it was working closely with the hospital and the police to gain further information and to support the family.
Thomas Cook, the company the family were travelling with, said it was working closely with the hospital and the police to gain further information and to support the family.
Dimitris Lambadarious, president of the Greek National Tourist Organisation, said the inquiry would be "transparent", that he would give "psychological support" to Mrs Wood and he was satisfied the hotel did "what they could".
Dimitris Lambadarious, president of the Greek National Tourist Organisation, said the inquiry would be "transparent", that he would give "psychological support" to Mrs Wood and he was satisfied the hotel did "what they could".
Nikos Georgiadis, the Greek Member of Parliament for Corfu, said his first priority was to offer the Wood family support.
Nikos Georgiadis, the Greek Member of Parliament for Corfu, said his first priority was to offer the Wood family support.
He said: "We are equally interested to know exactly what happened and take the necessary steps to make sure that something like this never happens again."Are you on holiday in Corfu or have recently been there? Do you have any experiences you would like to share? You can send us your comments using the form below:
He said: "We are equally interested to know exactly what happened and take the necessary steps to make sure that something like this never happens again."Are you on holiday in Corfu or have recently been there? Do you have any experiences you would like to share? You can send us your comments using the form below:
