Pensioners died after asbestos exposure, inquests told
Two pensioners died as a result of exposure to asbestos while at work, a coroner has ruled.
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin coroner Mr John Ellery ruled in the cases of both Barry Ellis, from Pattingham and Clive Alister Brogan, from Telford, that their deaths this year were as the result of industrial disease.
The separate inquests of both men were heard at Telford Register Office.
Mr Ellis, aged 66, died on March 17 at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital while Mr Brogan, 72, of Ashdale Road, Wrockwardine Wood, passed away on May 16 at the same hospital.
A post-mortem into Mr Ellis' death revealed it was caused by pneumonia and lung disease as a result of asbestosis.
His daughter Jodie Winfield, through a solicitor, told the hearing it was believed Mr Ellis had been exposed to asbestos over a period of 26 years from 1966 to 1992 when he was employed by three different firms.
They included Willenhall-based Swinnerton & Miller, where he worked as an explosives and demolition engineer between 1969 and 1972.
The inquest heard Mr Ellis died on the respiratory ward at Princess Royal shortly after being admitted. His family are pursuing compensation, the hearing was told.
Concluding his inquest, coroner Mr Ellery said: "I am satisfied that the asbestosis was caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace.
"I do not even have to identify which of the three companies it was. I am satisfied it would have been some or all of those three. I record a verdict of death as the result of industrial disease."
Mr Ellery reached the same verdict following the inquest into the death of Mr Brogan, whose wife Barbara described in a written statement as a 'fit, strong and healthy' man even into retirement who loved going on long walks.
