Bereaved families of two York asbestos victims urge ex-colleagues to come forward

Families of two men who both apparently fell victim to York’s asbestos time-bomb have appealed for former colleagues to come forward with information.

Dick Sanderson, who was born and worked in York before emigrating to Australia in the early 1970s, died last year from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. Frederick Dugmore, who was known as Tony, died in July 2014 after being diagnosed with the same condition.

Solicitor Charlie Bradley, of York-based solicitors Corries, who acts for Mr Sanderson’s family in seeking damages, said they wanted to find out how he came into contact with asbestos. He said:

“We know that there is a long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma, typically between 40 to 50 years.

Mr Sanderson moved to Australia in 1974 so we are looking at work he did in the York area in the 1960s and 1970s”

Mr Bradley urged anyone who worked alongside Mr Sanderson – who worked in construction – or who had any other information to phone him on 01904 527473 or email him at charlie.bradley@corries.co.uk

Thompsons Solicitors said that Tony’ Dugmore’s wife, Betty, believed he might have been exposed to asbestos during his time working for the British Rail Locking Shop near York railway station and Armstrong Patents Limited in York.

“Tony first joined British Rail in 1961 as a shunter at a railway depot in York, where he checked train carriages for faults before they were sent out for use,” said a spokesman.

“He worked for Armstrong Patents Limited from 1966 to 1967 and again from 1974 to 1975 where he was on a production line soaking car shock absorbers in acid.”