Burnley machine engineer died after being exposed to asbestos

An inquest in Burnley was told how 72-year-old Gary McKay, who died on October 24 2021, had been diagnosed with Mesothelioma in November 2019.

The inquest heard a statement made by Mr McKay shortly after his diagnosis, in which he detailed how he had first become exposed to asbestos around 1969 while working as an engineer on ships.

Coroner Mark Williams told the inquest that Mr McKay then went on to work for Brierfield Mill as a machine engineer and would often carry asbestos bobbins and string in his pockets, taking his overalls home to wash them in a bucket.

He was also exposed to asbestos piping and other materials which had asbestos on them.

Mr Williams said: "He started feeling breathless in February 2019 and was seen by his GP in May.

"Mr McKay was sent to Burnley General Hospital for an X-Ray and was told there was a serious problem with his lungs.

"The doctors found fluid on his lungs and he had to have his lung re-inflated.

"He was then diagnosed with Mesothelioma."

Mr McKay, who lived in Lindale Crescent in Burnley, underwent six rounds of chemotherapy but was admitted to hospital in August 2021 after experiencing problems passing urine.

In September he suffered abdominal discomfort and began to generally deteriorate until his death the following month.

Mr Williams said: "I accept all the evidence and the medical records make it quite clear that the cause of death was Mesothelioma and I have no problem recording that as his medical cause of death.

"Gary McKay died on October 24 2021 as his home address having been exposed to asbestos during his working life and I return a conclusion of industrial disease."