10 September 2008

TC staff will stand trial for Corfu deaths after appeal is lost

Thomas Cook staff will still have to face trial in Greece following the carbon monoxide poisoning of two British children in Corfu.

The two employees were hoping they would not have to face charges following an appeal by Corfuââ¬â¢s District Attorney.

But yesterday a judge dismissed the appeal and said the pair must stand trial later this year, alongside representatives from the management and maintenance contractors at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel.

The British children, Robert Shepherd, 6, and his sister Christianne, 7, died due to a faulty boiler in their family apartment at the hotel in October 2006.

According to reports in the Telegraphy, the TC employees are Richard Carson, 26, a health and safety inspector, and Nicola Gibson, 24, a holiday representative.

But TC would not confirm these reports.

A statement from Thomas Cook said: ââ¬ÅâœThomas Cook would like to make clear that the appeal was set down by the District Attorney of the Corfu Appeal Court, of his own volition, before the Appeal Court of Corfu, and not the company.

ââ¬ÅâœTheir appeal proposed that the two Thomas Cook individuals should play no further part in the legal proceedings, since they were in no way to be held responsible for this tragic accident.

ââ¬ÅâœThomas Cook has now been advised that this appeal has not been upheld by the Appeal Court and that both individuals will form part of a trial, along with members of the hotel management and external maintenance contractors, at some point in the future.

ââ¬ÅâœThomas Cook continues to stand behind, and fully supports, the two people concerned and believes that they will be vindicated in full when the case is heard.

ââ¬ÅâœThe company has and will continue to cooperate fully with the Greek authorities.

ââ¬ÅâœEven though the District Attorneyââ¬â¢s appeal has not been upheld, we continue to support and stand by the two people concerned and believe they will be vindicated when the case is heard.ââ¬~

ââ¬ÅâœThe companyââ¬â¢s thoughts will always be with the family and friends of Christianne and Robert Shepherd.ââ¬~

Thomas Cook said it had a signed contract from the hotel advising there was no gas used in the property.

Along with other UK tour operators, it undertook comprehensive audits of the property, compliant with the Federation of Tour Operators guidelines.

By Bev Fearis

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