Doctors to tell holiday dad of children's poison death

Published on 28/10/2006 13:06

MEDICAL staff were today preparing to break news of the deaths of two children to their father, who is recovering after apparently being poisoned while on holiday in Corfu.

Doctors decided not to tell Neil Shepherd, 38, and his girlfriend Ruth Beatson, 27, until their health improved.

A senior police officer said the couple had been taken off ventilators but remain seriously ill at the General Hospital of Corfu.

Mr Shepherd, the father of Christianne, seven, and Robert, six, is in extreme shock.

Ms Beatson was well enough yesterday to speak briefly with her parents.

Police believe the family were poisoned at their bungalow in a five star hotel resort on the island.

Senior officers were waiting for the full results from ongoing post-mortem examination and toxicology tests.

Investigators will not speak to the couple until they have consulted a psychologist. But officers hope to be able to interview them about the tragedy at the Corcyra Beach Hotel in the coming hours.

The couple, from West Yorkshire, were found unconscious by a cleaner on Thursday morning. Mr Shepherd's two children were found dead in the same room.