Two British teenagers lost their lives to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a negligent holiday park rental, exposing dangerous lapses in property safety that demand accountability.
Story Highlights
- 15-year-old Cherish Bean and 17-year-old Ethan Slater from Sheffield found dead on February 18, 2026, at Little Eden Holiday Park in Bridlington, UK.
- Police arrested a 33-year-old man on Thursday and a 42-year-old on Friday for suspected gross negligence manslaughter.
- Families shared heartbreaking tributes; Ethan’s GoFundMe raised over £16,000 for funeral costs.
- Multi-agency probe with Health and Safety Executive extends checks to other parks amid fears of systemic risks.
Tragic Discovery at Little Eden Holiday Park
Humberside Police received a concern call on Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, leading to the discovery of Cherish Bean, 15, and Ethan Slater, 17, deceased in a rented lodge at Little Eden Holiday Park, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire. The young couple from Sheffield, about 100 miles away, appeared to be on a short holiday trip. Officers immediately cordoned the site for forensic examination. Suspicions quickly centered on carbon monoxide poisoning, a silent killer from faulty appliances or poor ventilation common in rentals.
Rapid Arrests Signal Potential Negligence
Thursday saw the arrest of a 33-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, with his detention extended 12 hours for questioning. Friday brought a second arrest, a 42-year-old man, under the same charge. Both remain in custody as inquiries progress. Humberside Police, led by Ch Supt Matt Peach, coordinate with the Health and Safety Executive, Humberside Fire & Rescue, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Park operators proved unresponsive to contact attempts, heightening scrutiny on maintenance failures.
Ch Supt Peach stated a dedicated team works to establish full circumstances, offering thoughts to the families. Police urged the public to avoid speculation to respect privacy during this complex investigation.
Heartbroken Families Pay Tribute
Ethan’s parents launched a GoFundMe that surpassed £16,000, describing their son as kind-hearted, funny, and protective. Cherish’s mother, Devon Andrews, posted on social media: “We are broken as a family… I will never be the same again.” These tributes capture unimaginable heartbreak for Sheffield communities. The rapid fundraising shows strong local support, yet underscores the profound loss of two promising young lives in what should have been a safe getaway.
Preventable Poisoning and Broader Risks
Carbon monoxide poisoning remains a leading preventable death in UK rentals, often from blocked flues or undetected leaks. No prior incidents tie directly to Little Eden, but police expanded health checks to other parks regionally and nationwide. This proactive step highlights pattern risks in holiday accommodations. HSE involvement focuses on appliance failures, potentially leading to stricter detector mandates and convictions if negligence proves systemic. Families seek closure amid operational halts at the park.
Short-term impacts include site closure and grief support; long-term effects may enforce better safety compliance across the sector, protecting future vacationers from similar tragedies.
Sources:
Tributes paid to teen couple found dead after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning
Teenage couple who died at holiday park named
Tributes paid to teen couple found dead


