Police suspect boat generator as cause of double tragedy

Kelly Webster, 36, and her 10-year-old daughter, Lauren Thornton, both from Leyland in Lancashire, died while on a boating holiday on Windermere in the Lake District on Monday.

Cumbria Police said Ms Webster’s partner, Matthew Eteson, 39, also from Leyland, was the third person on board the private vessel.

Mr Eteson, the owner of the boat, has been released from Royal Lancaster Infirmary following treatment.

Police said Mr Eteson raised the alarm after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Detective Inspector Mike Brown, who is leading the investigation, said Ms Webster and her daughter were both found in the rear of the boat.

He said he believed the deaths of Ms Webster and her daughter “may be as a result of carbon monoxide inhalation”.

He said: “What we are looking at specifically is an aftermarket generator that has been fitted in the engine compartment of the boat which we believe may be the cause of this.

“But, again, it’s still early stages in the investigation so we can’t rule anything out.”

Mr Brown added: “It’s an absolute tragedy. Everyone is in bits over this.”

A police spokesman said the generator did not come with the boat but was purchased separately.

Mr Eteson, who lives with Ms Webster in Leyland but is not 
Lauren’s father, is listed as a director of family firm Etesons Ltd, which specialises in plumbing, heat and air conditioning installation.

Cumbria Police were called to a jetty near Bowness at around 4pm on Monday by the ambulance service after it was reported that three people on a privately-owned boat were having serious breathing difficulties.

Ms Webster and her daughter were treated by paramedics and were then airlifted to Royal 
Lancaster Infirmary, where they died.

Police are not treating the deaths as suspicious and inquiries are continuing to be conducted 
by officers on behalf of the coroner.

There was no answer yesterday at what is believed to be Ms Webster’s home address in Leyland.

A number of floral tributes had been left outside the semi-detached house.

One note read: “RIP Kelly and Lauren. Gone but never forgotten. Sarah X”, while another said: “Kelly and Lauren.

“Thinking of you and your family at such a sad time. Love always Louise Waring.”

A third message read: “Sad loss the lives of Kelly and Lauren. Liz xx” and a fourth said: “Kelly and Lauren, such a tragic loss, you will be sorely missed.

“May you rest in peace together, Fiona xxx”

At another family address in Leyland, a woman answered the door and said she did not wish to comment.

A man, who described himself as a family friend, later left 
the house and said: “They are 
too upset to talk at the moment.”

A woman who answered 
the door of the Eteson family home in Samlesbury, Lancashire, said: “It’s not an appropriate time.”

Mr Eteson, who lived with Ms Webster in Leyland, is listed as a director of family firm Etesons Ltd, which specialises in plumbing, heating and air conditioning installation.