Gas death parents 'want justice'

The parents say they want safety standards abroad to be raised

The parents of two children who died in a holiday apartment have said they are pleased two Thomas Cook employees are to face trial over their deaths.

Six-year-old Robert Shepherd and his sister Christianne, seven, died in October 2006 from carbon monoxide poisoning in a Corfu apartment.

The family, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said they held the company responsible and "wanted justice".

Thomas Cook said it was shocked its employees would stand trial in Greece.

The children's father Neil Shepherd, 38, of Horbury, West Yorks, and his girlfriend, Ruth Beatson, 28, were also in the apartment but survived.

The children's mother, Sharon Wood, 25, was in the UK at the time of the tragedy.

The family's statement said: "As we stated from the outset, we hold Thomas Cook responsible for the events which led to the deaths of our children, so we are therefore very pleased that now the representatives of Thomas Cook will face trial.

"We sincerely hope that justice will be done and they are held accountable for their part in this tragedy, then safety standards abroad will be raised so that Christi and Bobby won't have died in vain."

'Deeply concerned'

The holiday firm's spokeswoman said the company was shocked its employees would face charges.

She said: "There has been an announcement from the Greek Judicial Council that charges will be brought against a number of individuals, including Louis Group hotel management and external maintenance contractors.

"Thomas Cook is shocked and deeply concerned to have been informed that two individuals (who work, or have worked for Thomas Cook) have also been named.

"This reversed the previously confirmed recommendation by the District Attorney in December 2007, stating the two individuals were in no way to be held responsible and they would play no further part in the legal proceedings."

The firm said a full investigation by an independent gas expert found in October 2006 that the trip switch on the gas boiler which prevents carbon monoxide build-up was short circuited.