AN 87-year-old Darwen man died of an asbestos related cancer although it had not been possible to identify exactly when he was exposed to the killer substance, an inquest was told.
The inquest heard that Norman Whiteside had worked as a steam locomotive engineer and at the long-demolished Whitebirk Power Station during his career.
And coroner Michael Singleton said that while there was no evidence of direct exposure to asbestos it was clear there would have been the possibility of exposure given the kind of work he was involved with.
Mr Whiteside, of Gillibrand Street, died at Blackburn Royal Infirmary on November 12 and one of his three daughters, Jean Chambers, revealed that her mother, Beatrice Whiteside, 84, died just nine days later.
The medical cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia as a result of malignant mesothelioma and Mr Singleton recorded a verdict of death as a result of industrial disease.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article