City man dies after asbestos exposure at stone quarry job

Arthur Nicholson was born on September 5, 1933 and lived in Church Close, Poringland, died at the N&N earlier this year on August 8.

At an inquest into his death, Norfolk Coroner's Court heard the 91-year-old had been a retired engineer who worked in a stone quarry 35 years ago where he would place asbestos fibre around pipes and tanks.

A conversation with his daughter, Jo Wilson, was read out and said: "He was married and had been caring for his wife, Mavis, who suffered from dementia for the last few years before being admitted into a care home.

"He had a good social life and would continue to eat out and see family despite his wife needing additional care.

"He did a very good job taking care of her but it took its toll on him and the past few months his physical health deteriorated.

Area coroner for Norfolk, Johanna Thompson said Mr Nicholson's cause of death was from natural causes, contributed to, by the industrial misuses of asbestos (Image: Newsquest)

"Due to lung and heart conditions he became house-bound and required carers to help dress him and make his meals.

"There was no concern over any of the care or treatment he received while in hospital."

Mr Nicholson was admitted to the N&N on August 8 with increasing shortness of breath and cough.

On August 9 he was referred to palliative care before his death two days later from pneumonia, as well as interstitial lung disease and asbestosis.

Mr Nicholson had a successful claim for asbestos-related industrial disease which he received the final settlement for in February 2022.

Area coroner for Norfolk, Johanna Thompson, said: "Mr Nicholson had a history of being exposed to asbestos and was in declining health."

She concluded that his death was from "natural causes, contributed to, by the industrial misuses of asbestos".