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Ronald and Margaret Humberstone at Westward Ho, Devon, in the 1980s |
Coroner blames asbestos for death of carpenter, 76
Long illness was the result of breathing deadly fibres 50 years ago
A MAN died as a consequence of breathing in asbestosis fibres while working as a carpenter in Holloway half a century ago, an inquest heard.
Ronald Humberstone, 76, of Charlton Place in Angel, died in May nearly 50 years after he breathed in the harmful poison while sawing it for his work at the university, then known as the Polytechnic of North London.
St Pancras coroner Sean McGovern returned a verdict of industrial disease on Friday.
After the inquest Mr McGovern’s family paid tribute to his love of sport, betting and science fiction, recalling how he spent years looking after his wheelchair-bound wife Margaret Rose and how in younger years he was a player manager for local football team, Barnsbury United.
The court heard how Mr Humberstone had been ill for two years before his death, but went rapidly downhill in his last weeks at the Whittington Hospital.
Dr Ruiheena Mendes, a consultant oncologist at the Archway hospital, said: “He always complained of shortness of breath and pain. We gave him oxygen and he had numerous admissions.”
Mr McGovern praised Mr Humberstone’s brother and wife – who moved from Islington to Ilford – for the way they cared for him in his final days, saying mesothelioma was “not a nice way” to die.
“I’m sure you worked hard in those last days and it’s to your credit,” he added.
Mr McGovern said asbestos poisoning worked by fibres settling into the lungs and irritating the lining before developing into a cancer, often many decades later.
Speaking outside court, Sheila Humberstone, married to Mr Humberstone’s brother Victor, celebrated his fight against the condition which ultimately claimed his life.
“He was very strong,” she said. “He really fought this for two, three years, and wouldn’t use the wheelchair if he didn’t have to.” She said Mr Humberstone, who was brought up in Holloway and Caledonian Road, was a big Star Trek fan who liked to watch all sports including golf and racing, but most of all dedicated his life to his late wife.
“He really looked after her. That’s why we wanted to look after him,” she said.
One of 10 children, he leaves behind brothers Charles, George, Victor, Kenny and Raymond and sister Betty. |
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