Miner’s death linked to work

icwales.couk June 12th 2008

Glamorgan coroner Philip Walters recorded a verdict of death due to industrial disease on an 84 year old ex miner.

Emrys James died on November 28 last year after being taken to Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

Pathologist Dr Joanne Roach told the hearing that a post mortem found embedded coal dust, known as “coal workers’ pneumoconiosis” and traces of asbestos in his lungs. She also found evidence of chronic bronchitis, but gave heart disease as the eventual cause of death.

The coroner said: “While Mr James had significant natural causes of death, it has always been my practice to record a verdict of death due to industrial disease, so the coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and asbestos are recognised as contributory factors.”