The inquest into the tragic deaths of 15-year-old Cherish Bean and her 17-year-old boyfriend Ethan Slater has heard that family members suspect the girl’s evening headache may have been an early sign of carbon monoxide exposure, which is believed to have claimed their lives at a holiday park in East Yorkshire. The pair were found unresponsive in a smaller cabin known as the “mancave” at Little Eden Holiday Park near Bridlington on the morning of February 18, 2026.

Cherish Bean and Ethan Slater, both from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, were on a family holiday during the February half-term break. The teenagers had been described as fit and well when they spent the evening of February 17 with Cherish’s family in the main lodge at the park. They enjoyed time together as a group before the couple retired to the adjacent smaller cabin, often referred to as the “mancave,” where they were staying separately.

According to testimony at Hull Coroner’s Court, Cherish left the main family lodge shortly before 9 p.m. GMT to join Ethan in the smaller cabin to watch television. Approximately an hour later, around 10 p.m., she returned to the main lodge complaining of a headache. Family members noted that she took some Calpol, as there was no paracetamol available in the accommodation. After taking the medication, Cherish went back to the mancave with Ethan.

Later that night, Cherish sent a final text message to her mother saying “Goodnight. Love you,” a heartbreaking detail that has stayed with the family. Ethan also returned to the smaller cabin around the same time. The following morning, February 18, emergency services were called after the teenagers were discovered unresponsive inside the cabin. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The opening of the inquest, presided over by senior coroner Professor Paul Marks, heard that post-mortem examinations indicated the likely cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. This silent, odorless gas can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion in low levels, progressing to unconsciousness and death at higher concentrations. The headache Cherish reported the previous evening has led family members to question whether it was an initial warning sign of exposure, particularly as no other obvious illness was apparent.

Little Eden Holiday Park, located on the Yorkshire coast near Bridlington, provides self-catering lodges and cabins for family stays. The main family lodge and the neighboring smaller cabin where the couple stayed were part of the same booking. Investigations by Humberside Police and health and safety authorities have focused on potential sources of carbon monoxide, such as faulty heating systems, poor ventilation, or appliances in the accommodation.

Four individuals associated with the holiday park have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the deaths. The arrests, announced shortly after the inquest opening, reflect the serious nature of the inquiry into whether negligence contributed to the tragic outcome. Police have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, with forensic examinations of the premises and equipment continuing.

Tributes to Cherish and Ethan have poured in from family, friends, and the wider community. Cherish was remembered as a bright, loving girl who was the “apple of her family’s eye,” while Ethan was described as a caring boyfriend who shared special moments with her during the holiday. The couple’s deaths have shocked the public, highlighting the hidden dangers of carbon monoxide in holiday accommodations.

Carbon monoxide poisoning remains a preventable cause of death in the UK, with experts stressing the importance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, regular servicing of gas appliances, and awareness of symptoms. Headaches, especially when occurring in enclosed spaces or alongside others feeling unwell, can be a critical early indicator.

The inquest continues to examine the full circumstances, including the timeline of events, the condition of the cabin, and any contributing factors. For Cherish’s family, the recollection of her complaining of a headache before returning to the cabin has added to their grief, raising questions about whether earlier recognition could have made a difference.

As the proceedings unfold at Hull Coroner’s Court, the hope is for answers that provide some measure of understanding and help prevent similar tragedies in the future. The loss of two young lives in what should have been a joyful family getaway has left a profound impact on all who knew them and on the broader community reflecting on holiday safety.