p10 news Feb12 10/2/10 15:49 Page 10
news corfu trial
ttglive.com
The trial of eleven people, including two Thomas Cook reps, charged over the deaths of two children
in Corfu got off to an emotional start last week. Rupert Murray reports
Parents’ tears as
trial commences
THE FATHER of two children who died of carbon She said the last she remembered was going
monoxide poisoning in Corfu in 2006 broke to comfort Robert as his sister was vomiting,
down as he and his partner gave evidence in a then waking up in a Greek hospital.
Greek court. Asked if she thought Cook was obliged to carry
Neil Shepherd and Ruth Beatson spoke out safety checks on every boiler in every bunga-
on February 4 while 11 defendants, including low, she said: “I think it has a duty to make sure
Thomas Cook reps Richard Carson and Nicola their customers are going somewhere safe.”
Gibson, watched. Speaking about another family who stayed in
Shepherd broke down in tears as he spoke of the same bungalow a few days earlier she added:
the moments leading up to the deaths of his “Since we’ve returned to England we’ve found
children Christianne, seven, and Robert, six, out that they were hospitalised after staying in
from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, when a faulty that bungalow.
boiler leaked gas into their room in the Louis “They had similar symptoms, they were dizzy
Corcyra Beach Hotel. and sick.”
He said: “About 10 minutes after we had At the close of the day the children’s mother Nicola Gibson, Richard Carson (centre) with their lawyer in
gone to bed Christi sat up and started being sick. Sharon Wood, who had split from Shepherd Corfu last week. The trial is now postponed until February 17
I immediately got up and went over to her to before the deaths of their children, spoke out-
help. When I sat up I felt dizzy but my concern side the court. judicial system will find all those accused respon-
was for my daughter.” She said: “It has been nearly three and a half sible for their part in our children’s death and
Shepherd was then sick and Beatson began to years since we lost Christi and Bobby to poison- that lessons are learned.
feel dizzy. ing while on holiday in Corfu. “We urge you all to remember that our beau-
He added: “I can’t remember anything after “We are eager to be here to see justice done as tiful children were here for what should have
being sick as I passed out within a few seconds.” this is the last and only thing we can do for our been a happy family holiday. Their safety was
Beatson, who is now married to Shepherd, children now. in someone else’s hands and we were let down.
gave evidence later that day. “We continue to have faith that the Greek For this we are forever left in pain.”
Court delay as
At the time this decision was described by then
FTO director general Andy Cooper as “perverse,
Your comments. . .
unusual and radical”. I love the travel industry with all my heart
support mounts
If found guilty, they could be jailed for up to 20 but when rare events like this happen it
years. saddens me deeply. The thought that something
The industry has thrown its weight behind the like this could have happened while I was working
THOMAS Cook reps Richard Carson and Nicola pair with industry leaders such as Abta chairman overseas is horrific. It is the hotel’s responsibility.”
Gibson will have to wait until next month at the John McEwan, Advantage leisure director Julia Lo Denise Branfoot, Co-op Travel, Stockton on Tees
earliest to find out their fate. Bue-Said and Cosmos overseas director Hugh
The pair sat by nine Greek defendants in court Morgan joining a Facebook support group (see I just don’t understand why the holiday
last week as the trial over the deaths of Chris- right), started by TTG and a former colleague of reps are getting the blame. I’m confused
tianne Shepherd and her brother Robert began. Carson. by it all but hope they don’t get convicted.”
It ran for one day before being adjourned to The group now has close to 4,500 members Frank Newman Thomas, Thomson, Slough
February 17 when a family liason officer, the and membership nearly doubled in the last week.
maid who found the bodies and a doctor will give Cook continues to support the pair and It is ridiculous these reps are been held
evidence. It is then expected to be adjourned to believes they will be vindicated. responsible for the deaths of those young
a date in March. A spokesman said the accident was “unique children. Yes, its a tragedy what happened to
Carson and Gibson face the same charge as the and unforeseeable” and was not the fault of them but to blame the reps is crazy. I hope they
other defendants – manslaughter by negligence – either Carson or Gibson. keep strong and know they have support from all
after an unexpected decision by Greek authorities One defendant, the man who gave the hotel its over.” Krystle Faram, via email
to overturn an earlier recommendation by the in- fire safety certificate, was excused from court
Join the debate: http://tinyurl.com/TTGcorfu
vestigating judge that they should not be charged. because he did so more than five years earlier.
10 12.02.2010
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