A career in the submarine and shipbuilding industry is what ultimately led to the death of a beloved dad after he was exposed on numerous occasions to asbestos. On Monday, December 30, a number of inquest hearings took place at the Myle Cross Centre in Lincoln, including a documentary hearing in respect of Derek Edward Jay.
Coroner for Greater Lincolnshire, Jayne Wilkes, resumed the inquest after it was previously opened and adjourned on October 16, 2024. Mr Jay was born in Glamorgan, South Wales and one of his first jobs was as a trainee butcher, but he later decided the profession was not for him and became a machinist instead.
He spent more than three decades working in the submarine and shipbuilding industry and it was during this time he was regularly exposed to asbestos. According to GOV.UK, asbestos refers a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals which crystallise to form fibres and can cause serious health problems.
Due to asbestos fibres not dissolving and being resistant to fire, heat and other chemicals, they have been used in many commercial products, such as for insulation and fireproofing. Reading from a statement Mr Jay had given in life, Coroner Wilkes stated how the 81-year-old had been in contact with “a tremendous amount” of asbestos during his career.
He recalled inhaling it on several occasions such as when applying insulation that contained it or cutting materials which pushed the dust into the air. It was heard in the documentary hearing that in January 2006 Mr Jay began experiencing chest pains and he retired that year.
His daughter, Karen Munton, shared a pen portrait with the court that expressed how her dad “loved to travel” and had been all over Europe, to Norway, Sweden and Spain, which was one of his favourites. However, due to his medical conditions, including Asbestosis as well as heart failure, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease stage four and type two diabetes, he “deteriorated” over the years and had to use a portable oxygen machine.
Mr Jay was admitted to Lincoln County Hospital on September 13 after being “generally unwell” and was “treated immediately” with antibiotics, diuretics, oxygen and other supportive treatment. It was heard that “despite being on maximum treatment, he remained unwell” and a decision was made on September 24 to make him as comfortable as possible.
He passed away days later on September 26. Coroner Wilkes concluded that it was exposure to asbestos over the years that ultimately led to his death.
The medical cause of death was found to be 1A infective exacerbation of interstitial lung disease and 1B interstitial lung disease. A documentary hearing for the inquest of Jean Rose Eve Foster also resumed on Monday, December 30 after it was adjourned on August 28, 2024.
Whilst reading through the evidence, Coroner Wilkes stated that Ms Foster moved into a care home in September 2023, originally for respite but then she stayed there permanently due to concerns over her “struggling with daily life.” A member of The Orders of St John Care Trust care home had submitted evidence describing Ms Foster as “a very private and independent lady.”
Despite her dementia, she was generally in good health, had good mobility and was low risk for falls. However, it was heard on August 10, 2024 that she “was spotted on the floor of her bedroom by a member of the public.”
An ambulance was called and the 90-year-old was brought to Lincoln County Hospital, where it was confirmed that she had fractured her hip, and surgery was needed. Following the surgery, which lasted around 48 minutes and went well, Ms Foster was thought to be stable.
However, at around 9.30pm on August 11, a nurse on the Shuttleworth Ward noticed she had a decreased oxygen saturation. It was then confirmed that Ms Foster was in cardiac arrest and was unresponsive. She died a short time afterwards at 10.26pm.
Coroner Wilkes stated: “A respect form was in place, her wishes were followed and she passed away. If it had not been for her fall, she would not have died when she did.”
Her medical cause of death was noted as 1A myocardial infarction and 1B ischemic heart disease. A number of inquests were also opened by Coroner Wilkes on Monday, December 30.
This included an inquest into the death of a retired midwife who passed away at her home in Lincoln on November 8, 2024. Denise Karen Howe was 63-years-old when she passed away and a provisional cause of death is understood to be a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
The inquest into her death has been adjourned and is set to continue on May 10, 2025. An inquest into the death of Jason James Smith was also opened.
The 56-year-old from Market Rasen died on November 25, 2024. The agricultural engineer was found dead at the bottom of a set of stairs and is was heard in court that he appeared to have fallen.
A provisional cause of death is understood to be 1A traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage and hematoma and 1B fall, which is the underlying cause. The inquest has been adjourned until May 27, 2025.
The inquest into the death of Wendy Tabitha Evans of Rushden, Northamptonshire was also opened. It was heard that the 55-year-old was “found deceased at the Kingfisher Caravan Park in Ingoldmells, Skegness” on October 17, 2024.
The medical cause of death at this time is understood to be 1A mixed drug overdose, but it was noted that other factors which may have contributed to but not directly caused her death included dilated cardiomyopathy and obesity.