A Romford man who fell ill during a holiday to Spain turned out to be suffering from asbestos-related cancer, a court has heard.
An inquest has been opened into the death of Terence Francis Lynch, 76, at East London Coroner’s Court.
Coroner Nadia Persaud was told he died at Queen’s Hospital in Romford on February 17.
Born in Ireland, he lived in David Drive, Harold Park. He was said to have worked in construction and carpentry for “all his working life”.
“On Saturday, February 15, this gentleman had his final admission to Queen’s Hospital for fever and shortness of breath,” said coroner’s officer Jean Smyth. “Sadly, he died two days later.
“It was whilst he was in Spain last year that his breathing issues started.”
A post-mortem examination found he had been suffering from malignant mesothelioma – a cancer caused by inhalation of asbestos.
Even the inhalation of a single particle can cause cancer – sometimes decades after it was inhaled.
He was also suffering from bronchopneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs) and ischemic heart disease.
Mrs Persaud said she would open an inquest and adjourn it for further investigations – including seeking a copy of Mr Lynch’s work history from HMRC.
“From the family, I would like some general background information about Mr Lynch, telling me about him in life,” she said.
She asked for details of his health leading up to his death and “any assistance they can provide into his work” – including where he could have been exposed to asbestos.
The coroner also asked the family to inform her of any specific concerns they had over Mr Lynch’s death.
If he had commenced a claim for industrial illness before he died and prepared any statements or schedules of employment himself, said Mrs Persaud, she would need copies of those.
The final inquest was scheduled for September 5.
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