A CORONER has concluded the deaths of two Dudley men were due to exposure to asbestos.

Retired maintenance engineer Colin Morgan, aged 80, passed away from mesothelioma at his home in Queen's Gardens, Dudley, on May 1 – while quantity surveyor Keith Hughes, aged 59, died of the same disease at his home in Warrens Hall Road, Dudley, on April 30, Black Country Coroner’s Court was told.

Mr Morgan had been diagnosed with mesothelioma after a biopsy in 2019, Joanne Lees – area coroner for the Black Country – said.

She told the inquest hearing on Monday May 18 that Mr Morgan had been exposed to asbestos during the period 1955 to 1963-64 while working at a company manufacturing boilers.

She said he was a pipe fitter, working with asbestos lined boilers using asbestos sheets and lagging pipes - and that mesothelioma, due to asbestos, had caused his death.

Mrs Lees told the court: “It is likely from the evidence that Mr Morgan was exposed to asbestos during the course of his employment."

Stourbridge born Mr Hughes, who was divorced, had been diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2016 – the inquest was told.

The coroner said Mr Hughes had been employed in the construction industry which involved cutting asbestos when he was younger and that he had been in receipt of an industrial injuries benefits for his illness.

The inquest hearing was told Mr Hughes, who underwent specialist treatment at Leicester University Hospital, had died of malignant mesothelioma and the coroner added: “It’s likely from the evidence that Mr Hughes was exposed to asbestos during the course of his employment. He had a history of working in the construction industry which involved cutting of asbestos boards.”

She concluded both men died by way of industrial disease and she offered her "sincere condolences" to the families of both men.