UK police investigate more hospital deaths as woman is questioned

[News_Editor]

UK police investigate more hospital deaths as woman is questioned

2011-07-22 03:19:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

STOCKPORT, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) -- Police in northwest England are investigating the deaths of two more patients at a Stockport hospital, bringing the total number of victims as a result of contaminated saline to five.

Detectives from the Greater Manchester Police's Major Incident Team are now investigating five deaths at Stepping Hill hospital after products were found to have been deliberately contaminated. The previous three victims were identified as George Roy Keep, Arnold Frederick Lancaster and Tracey Arden.

Police revealed on Thursday that an 84-year-old woman died on July 14 and an initial autopsy carried out on Tuesday failed to establish the cause of death. The death was referred to police on Wednesday due to the woman's low blood sugar level, which is similar to the other victims.

In addition to the woman, an 83-year-old man died on Thursday after suffering a hypoglycaemic episode on July 11. The cause of death was not yet known, police said.

"As with the deaths of George Keep, Arnold Lancaster and Tracey Arden, the cause of this man and woman's death is not known and it is important we do not lose sight of this fact," said Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.

"In relation to the death of the woman, this was referred to us by the coroner and after a review of the circumstances surrounding this death - notably the low blood sugar level - we have decided to investigate further," Hopkins said. "In relation to the man's death, due to the fact he suffered a hypoglycaemic episode during a timeframe we are looking at it is only right we conduct further inquiries."

27-year-old woman Rebecca Leighton was arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday, and police have been given more time to question her. "A warrant of further detention has been granted and is due to expire at 9.05 p.m. on Friday 22 July 2011," police said in a statement. "Inquiries are continuing."

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