.Christi Shepherd, 7, and brother Bobby, 6, found dead by a chambermaid
- .They were on holiday on Greek island with their father and his girlfriend
- .Neil Shepherd and Ruth Beatson were almost killed by the toxic fumes
- .Inquest into childrens' deaths is being held today in Wakefield
A brother and sister died from carbon monoxide poisoning during a holiday in Corfu because of 'bodged' work on a hotel boiler, an inquest heard today.
Christi Shepherd, seven, and her younger brother Bobby, six, died in their sleep at their family chalet at the four-star Corcyra Beach Hotel on the Greek island in October 2006.
Their father, Neil Shepherd, and his girlfriend Ruth Beatson, who he has since married, were also almost killed by the fumes during the half-term break with the children.
Christi Shepherd, seven, (left) and her brother Bobby, six, (right) died from carbon monoxide poisoning during a holiday in Corfu in October 2006.
An inquest into the siblings' deaths, which opened in Wakefield today, was told that there had been at least three blunders in the installation and maintenance of the boiler supplying hot water to the hotel chalets, including a safety feature deliberately being short-circuited.
The hearing, taking place eight years after the children's deaths, was told that this may have been done the day before the family began feeling unwell, after neighbouring holidaymakers complained they had not hot water.
The inquest into the siblings' deaths began in Wakefield today, more than eight years after the double tragedy.
Outlining the case to a jury, coroner David Hinchliff said: 'What should have been a very happy and relaxed half-term break became the most appalling tragedy.'
Mr Hinchliff described how the children, from Horbury, West Yorkshire, had been feeling unwell in their holiday bungalow the day before they were found dead by a cleaner.
Their father, Neil Shepherd, and his girlfriend Ruth Beatson, (together, left) who he has since married, were also almost killed by the fumes. Pictured right is the children's' mother Sharon Wood, with her husband Paul
Mr and Mrs Shepherd were both found in a coma in the bungalow after being overcome by the fumes and were saved by emergency treatment.
A post-mortem examination in Greece concluded that Bobby and Christi died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Mr and Mrs Shepherd were both at Wakefield Coroner's Court today to see the jury of seven men and four women sworn in.
The children's mother, Sharon Wood, was also in court for today's proceedings, and listened intently to the evidence given in court.
Mr Hinchliff said: 'The family of these children have waited a long, long time for this day to come.'
The bungalow at the four-star Corcyra Beach Hotel in Corfu, where Bobby and Christi had been staying with their father and his girlfriend
The bungalow is taped off and examined following the discovery of the children's bodies in October 2006
The inquest jury was told that the family arrived at their hotel on October 23 2006, and they were initially offered a room in the main block because there was a problem with the accommodation they had booked
The inquest jury was told that the family arrived at their hotel on October 23 2006, and were initially offered a room in the main block because there was a problem with the accommodation they had booked.
They were eventually allocated a semi-detached two-bedroom bungalow in the grounds.
Two days later, on October 25 the children started to feel unwell, with Bobby tripping on the floor and appearing to be dizzy.
He had recovered slightly by bedtime, but his sister started to cry and was being sick after Mrs Shepherd, who was also feeling unwell, went to bed herself.
Mr Hinchliff told the inquest that the adults had gone into the children's room, but could not remember what happened after that.
When a chambermaid let herself into the chalet to clean the next morning at around 11am, she found Christi dead on the floor and Bobby dead in the bed.
The two adults were close by, both in comatose states.
Heating engineering expert, Thomas Magner, explained to the inquest how carbon carbon
Mr and Mrs Wood with Mr and Mrs Shepherd. The two couples are on good terms and have battled for the facts of the case to be heard in the UK
Mr Magner, who was instructed to examine the scene by tour operator Thomas Cook after the deaths, said the boiler was housed in an outbuilding and supplied water to two adjoining bungalows.
He said the boiler had no flue to connect it to the outside, meaning that fumes from the burners built up inside the outhouse.
The engineer said there were gaps in the walls where air conditioning pipes went into the building and this had enabled the lethal carbon monoxide into the ceiling space above the children's beds.
Mr Magner agreed with the coroner that, by British standards, this work had been 'bodged and botched'.
He said a third problem was that a water leak meant the boiler was working more than it should have been.
But the engineer said a crucial problem was that a safety cut-off device had been deliberately short-circuited, meaning the boiler would not turn itself off.
The jury was told that the day before the Shepherd family started to feel unwell, holidaymakers staying in the adjacent bungalow had complained of not having any hot water - which prompted hotel staff to examine the boiler.
Asked by Leslie Thomas QC, representing the family, whether this was most likely when the safety device was short- circuited, Mr Magner said: 'It's the only conclusion I came to on the evidence available to me.'
He said the Italian-made boiler appeared to have been installed in about 1997 or 1998.
The jury was also shown extracts from a BBC Panorama documentary which showed pictures of the rusting boiler and the hotel complex.
In it, the presenter said the family had paid almost £2,000 for the half-term break.
The hearing continues.
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