THE death of an 83-year-old former railway worker has been put down to industrial disease due to exposure to asbestos, an inquest has concluded.

Derek Ivor Spence, from Horton Bank Top, Bradford, was described by his family as a “fit and healthy old man” before he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December last year.

He was given 12 to 18 months to live, but died at Bradford Royal Infirmary on June 29, Bradford Coroners Court was told.

Doctors at BRI said Mr Spence died from bronchial-pneumonia caused by mesothelioma.

Born in Shelf, Mr Spence worked for British Rail for two years during his National Service, servicing steam locomotives at Low Moor. During the work, he had to wear heavy gloves and a mask, which could have contained asbestos.

Mr Spence’s daughter, Lynda Blackburn, gave evidence at the hearing and said: “Dad said he had to wear thick gloves and a mask, and he couldn’t think of anything else which could have caused it. It was really hot working with the trains, and he had to go into the trains to clean the engines and spent two years doing that.”

Along with having mesothelioma, Mr Spence also suffered various other ailments including eczema and asthma.

Bradford Coroner Martin Fleming said: “Back then asbestos was not considered the poison it is today, and it has a long incubation period.

“He wore gloves and a mask thought to contain asbestos and worked in engines surrounded by asbestos, and having considered the evidence I find it more likely than not Mr Spence’s death was caused by employment exposure to asbestos, and it is right to say he died as a result of industrial disease.

“Mr Spence was a much loved father and grandfather, and I hope you will be able to dwell on your happy memories rather than the nature of his death.”

Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Blackburn added: “My dad was a fit 83-year-old, he wasn’t an old man, and that is what has angered us. Up until two years ago he wouldn’t think anything of walking two miles a day, and then to be given 12 to 18 months to live last December and only get six, we cannot believe he deteriorated so quickly."