Third woman dies after drinks mix-up

Up to 10 residents drank some of the rinsing fluid

A third woman has died after residents at a Berkshire nursing home mistakenly drank liquid detergent.

An investigation was launched at the Lady Astor Court home in Slough after six people were taken to hospital following the mix-up.

Thames Valley Police said an 87-year-old woman from Slough died at Wexham Park Hospital on Christmas Day.

The cause of death is not yet known. A post-mortem examination is due to take place next week.

Similar packaging

The elderly woman was one of 10 people given purple dishwasher rinse to drink by mistake.

It is believed a care assistant at the home, which houses 76 residents, confused two similarly-packaged bottles of soft drink and the detergent.

Six members of staff have been suspended and Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive are holding a joint investigation.

Southern Cross Healthcare, which runs the home, said it regretted the incident and was co-operating fully with the inquiry.