Death linked to asbestos 40 years on

Sarah Anne Miles, a retired Tesco supervisor, was taken ill about a year ago and doctors told her she was suffering from mesothelioma, which is usually contracted through contact with asbestos fibres.

The 64-year-old died at her home in New Park Estate, Stainforth, on Tuesday morning after being put on intravenous painkillers.

“It was awful to see her,” said her husband, Ronald, aged 65, at the opening of an inquest into her death.

Mrs Mills worked at Pilkingtons glass factory in Kirk Sandall for four years after she left school and before getting married.

Her husband, a retired colliery fitter, said she had several jobs at Pilkingtons, including driving a crane and examining glass.

“Apparently the gloves she wore were made of asbestos because of the heat of the glass.

“Pipes at the factory were lagged with it as well.”

Mr Mills said his wife also worked on the cranes when some parts of the factory were being taken down and he told the coroner several people had said that asbestos was used a lot.

He said his wife began suffering breathing difficulties about a year ago and when she was referred to hospital she was told she was suffering from mesothelioma and there was no cure.

She decided to remain at home but for the last two weeks of her life she was confined to her bed and died in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Doncaster Coroner, Stanley Hooper, said the preliminary autopsy report indicated Mrs Mills died as a result of a work-related illness and he adjourned the inquest to await the result of further medical tests.