Widow’s plea after asbestos tragedy

Ronald Garwood, from Acomb, in York, died aged 68 in September 2009 after suffering from mesothelioma – a lung disease which develops after exposure to asbestos.

His widow, Marjorie, has now asked industrial illness experts at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate where her husband was exposed to asbestos.

She wants his former colleagues at British Rail to come forward and help with an investigation into asbestos exposure at the firm.

Mr Garwood worked as a track engineer for British Rail from its depot in Dringhouses between 1968 and 1994, and Irwin Mitchell believe he may have been exposed to asbestos while working in this role.

Ian Toft, a solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We know that while working at British Rail Mr Garwood worked at the tracks next to the York Carriage Works, and on the electrification of the East Coast Main Line, and this location is a well-known source of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a deadly illness and can take up to 40 years to develop. This makes it difficult to trace colleagues and insurance documents.

“We urge anybody who worked with Mr Garwood at British Rail and in particular at the York Carriage Works to come forward.”

Mrs Garwood added: “It was a terrible shock to hear that Ronald had died as a result of breathing in asbestos dust, as while we knew he was very ill we only found out that he had contracted mesothelioma after he had died.

“It is a horrific illness and it was frightening how quickly it took hold of Ronald. He only began to feel ill in May 2009 and died the following September. Ronald was very popular and well-known at British Rail so I am sure there are people out there who remember working with him.”

Anybody with any relevant information should contact Mr Toft on 0870 1500 100.