Thread: Father tells Corfu court of children's final moments

Father tells Corfu court of children's final moments

Mr Shepherd told the court how Robert had felt dizzy earlier in the day

The father of two children who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Corfu has described the final moments of their lives, at a trial on the island.

Two Thomas Cook employees, Nicola Gibson, 25, and Richard Carson, 27, are charged with the manslaughter of Robert and Christianne Shepherd by negligence.

The children, aged six and seven, died while on holiday in October 2006.

Neil Shepherd, 38, of Horbury, West Yorkshire, was in tears as he told how the children had felt dizzy and sick.

Ms Gibson and Mr Carson have gone on trial along with nine Greek nationals including staff from the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia, where the family were staying, who are charged with manslaughter by negligence.
Robert Shepherd and his sister Christianne died in October 2006

A 12th defendant was earlier discharged from the hearing under Greek law.

Mr Shepherd told the court how he and his son had a race as the family went for breakfast that morning and Robert had said he felt dizzy.

Mr Shepherd said Robert had "brightened up" as the day went on.

The court heard how Christianne showed no signs of illness until that evening, when shortly after she had gone to bed in their apartment at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel she started to be sick.

Mr Shepherd told the court how he went to get a carrier bag for Christianne to be sick into.

"When I sat up I felt dizzy, but my concern was for my daughter," he said.

"When she was being sick I felt sick myself and was immediately sick."

'Presume you're safe'

Mr Shepherd said his partner, Ruth Beatson, went to check on Robert and she also felt dizzy, but she put it down to feeling ill a few weeks earlier.
A chambermaid found the bodies of the children in the apartment

When asked what happened next Mr Shepherd said: "I can't remember anything after me being sick because I just passed out within a few seconds."

The couple, who are now married, were taken to hospital in Athens.

When they regained consciousness a few days later, they were told Robert and Christianne had died.

"I can't really remember what was said or anything about that time because we were still very poorly and all I can remember is that my brother informed me that I had lost my children," Mr Shepherd said.

Mr Shepherd told the court the family was given no safety advice regarding gas appliances in the bungalow and did not think to ask for any as they had previously checked in the holiday brochures that all accommodation was Corgi-registered.

He said: "You're going on holiday, the last thing going through your mind is not being safe.

"You just presume that you're safe, you presume that the tour operator has just done the checks so that you can just go away and enjoy your holiday and not have your children die."

The trial was adjourned until 17 February, when more witnesses will be called to give evidence, and it is then expected to resume on a date yet to be fixed in March.

BBC News - Father tells Corfu court of children's final moments


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