Tour firm staff in fume death trial
Two tour firm employees are due to go on trial in a Greek court over the deaths of a brother and sister from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Christianne Shepherd, seven, and her six-year-old brother Robert, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, died after being overcome by fumes while on a family holiday in Corfu in October 2006.
Richard Carson, 27, and Nicola Gibson, 25, who were both holiday representatives for Thomas Cook when the incident occurred, face charges of manslaughter and negligence.
The children's father, Neil Shepherd, and his partner, Ruth Beatson, both fell into a coma and were admitted to hospital. They survived.
Carson and Gibson are accused of causing manslaughter by negligence in relation to the children, and of causing bodily injury by negligence to Mr Shepherd and Ms Beatson.
Ten Greeks, including staff from the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia, where the family were staying, are also due to be tried.
It is believed the tragedy was caused after carbon monoxide fumes leaked from a next-door room into the plush bungalow apartment the family had booked for a half-term break.
Mr Shepherd and Ms Beatson are thought to have flown out to Corfu for the trial, as are Robert and Christianne's mother, Sharon Wood, who was in the UK at the time of the tragedy, and her husband, Paul.
The family have previously stated they believe Thomas Cook is "responsible for the events which led to the deaths" of the two children.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said: "We are confident that our colleagues acted properly and should not be blamed in any way. We continue to give them our full support and believe they will be vindicated by the court."
Share
