Victims of abestos exposure in South Devon

It has been reported that three people living in South Devon have died from asbestos related disease.

Richard Alan Bridge or Torquay was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer, in August 2015. It is understood that he worked as a car mechanic and had been exposed to asbestos when working on brake pads. He died in January 2016 and the cause of death is reported as malignant mesothelioma of the left pleural cavity.

It is also reported that Bernard David Bourne of Ipplepen died on the 22 December 2015 from mesothelioma. During his work life it is believed that he worked in factory where the pipes were lagged with asbestos.

Brenda Arcus Nee Wakenell of Abbots Kerswell died in January 2016 from mesothelioma. It is believed that in the 1960’s and 1970’s she was employed at a Builder’s Merchants and was exposed to asbestos dust.

Inquest into these three deaths have been opened and have been adjourned to a later date.

Andrew Stinchcombe, Director at Novum Law comments “This is an ongoing reminder that unfortunately the deadly legacy from asbestos dust is still present today. It takes many decades for mesothelioma, an incurable lung cancer caused by asbestos, to develop and therefore people who were exposed to asbestos dust many years ago may only now start to be paying the price. It is a sad reminder that asbestos dust should not be disturbed, and should only be removed by specialist contractors if discovered. A number of cases of mesothelioma in the UK is reaching its peak at present and we can only hope that a cure may yet still be found”.