A second man has been arrested in connection with the suspected carbon monoxide poisoning deaths of a teenage couple at a holiday park in Yorkshire. The bodies of Ethan Slater, 17, and Cheris Bean, 15, were discovered on Wednesday at Little Eden Holiday Park in Bridlington, where they were staying during the half-term holiday.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Humberside Police confirmed they arrested a 42-year-old man today on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. This follows the arrest of a 33-year-old man on suspicion of the same offence on Thursday. An extension has been granted for the 33-year-old, allowing police to detain him for an additional 12 hours as the investigation continues.
Officers made the tragic discovery in one of the site's rental units after responding to concerns for the couple's safety. Police stated they are 'exploring the possibility that they may be connected to carbon monoxide poisoning' and are working with partner agencies including Humberside Fire & Rescue, the Health and Safety Executive, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Emotional Tributes and Fundraising
Heartfelt commemorations have poured in for the teenagers, described as a 'beautiful' pair. A fundraiser set up by Ethan's family to give him 'the best send off possible' has raised more than £17,000 in less than 24 hours, reflecting the community's outpouring of support.
The tribute to Ethan reads: 'It is with unimaginable heartbreak that I write this. Our son Ethan tragically and unexpectedly passed away at just 17 years old, alongside his beautiful girlfriend. No parent should ever have to write these words. No family should ever have to face this pain.'
It continues: 'Ethan had his whole life ahead of him. He'll never get to pass his driving test. He'll never celebrate his 18th birthday. He'll never reach the milestones we all assumed were waiting for him. He was just beginning his journey into adulthood, full of plans, laughter, and a future that was taken far too soon.'
The family added: 'We are raising funds to give Ethan the best possible send off, one that reflects the love he gave and the impact he had in his 17 short years. We want to honour him in a way that truly celebrates who he was and ensures he is laid to rest with the dignity and beauty he deserves.'
A tribute to Cherish read: 'Cherish was my girl, my world, my love, my everything.' Another post said: 'Never in my life did I ever think I'd be writing this, but yesterday Ethan Slater and Cherish Bean left this world together, leaving so many people's hearts well and truly broken. Cherish, you had big dreams, big goals at just 15. You were going very far in life, all the future we've spoken about from start to finish. Rest in eternal peace.'
Police Statement and Community Impact
Northbank Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Matt Peach, said: 'Emergency services were in immediate attendance at the holiday park, where sadly a 15-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were pronounced deceased inside the property. This is incredibly distressing and heartbreaking for the families of the teenagers involved, and they are at the forefront of our minds and actions.'
He added: 'Specially trained officers have been supporting the families over the last 24-hours, and I would please ask people to refrain from any form of speculation and to respect their privacy. A cordon remains in place to allow enquiries to continue.'
The Chief Superintendent further explained: 'Whilst we are in the very early stages and the deaths at this time remain unexplained, we are exploring the possibility that they may be connected to carbon monoxide poisoning, with further enquiries continuing with our partner agencies. Emergency Services and partner agencies have attended all other properties on the site to offer advice, support and guidance and ensure everyone's safety.'
He concluded: 'We know the shock and upset this will cause to the local community, and I want to offer my reassurance we will do all we can to determine exactly what has happened. Those living in the area will continue to see an increased police presence and we will provide further updates as soon as we are able to.'
A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive said: 'We are aware of the incident and assisting Humberside Police and East Riding of Yorkshire Council with their enquiries.'
