A RETIRED engineer died from an industrial disease related to exposure to asbestos, St Albans Coroner's Court heard on Monday (August 19).

Mr Harry Blackwell, 79, of Watson Avenue, St Albans, died on October 8, last year, after being admitted to Hemel Hempstead Hospital with breathing difficulties.

The married father-of-three first became ill in October 2000.

He was duly admitted to hospital where doctors found he had fluid on his lungs.

In September last year he was re-admitted to Hemel Hempstead Hospital and further medical investigation found he was suffering from mesothelioma a malignant tumour associated with the inhalation of asbestos fibres.

The condition meant doctors were only able to offer the grandfather of four palliative treatment until his death from respiratory failure on October 8.

A post-mortem carried out by pathologist Aidan O'Reilly confirmed the diagnosis, finding traces of blue asbestos fibre in his lungs

Mr Blackwell, who worked at a Volkswagon dealership in Milton Keynes until his retirement, is believed to have contracted the disease while working on oil rigs and helping with the installation of pipe lines in the Middle East during the 1960's.

But Coroner Edward Thomas said he may also have come into contact with deadly asbestos dust while working as a stoker for the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

A statement read out in court from Mr Blackwell's daughter Sally Burns described him as a wonderful father who adored his family.

He was an active man until his death and loved gardening, travelling abroad and helping his children to decorate their homes, she said.

Mr Thomas recorded a verdict of death from industrial disease.

August 22, 2002 10:00