Industrial Illness Experts Call On Former Colleagues For Help

The widow of a former Newmarket caravan maker who died of the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma , which took hold so quickly doctors hadn’t yet diagnosed his illness is appealing to his former factory worker colleagues for information as she launches an investigation into his previous work at Sprite Caravans in Newmarket from 1962 - 1964.

William Alan Jordan (usually known as Alan) died from mesothelioma on 19 August last year, aged 76. Alan was involved in the assembly of caravans which may have contained asbestos as a form of fire proofing.

Alan began suffering from shoulder pain in May 2011 and an X-ray revealed shadowing on his lungs. He was admitted to hospital for a chest drain but became critically ill very quickly and died in August. It was not until an inquest into his death a month later where it was found Alan died from an asbestos illness.

Alan’s wife Patricia contacted specialist asbestos lawyers at Irwin Mitchell in a battle for justice and is appealing for Alan’s former colleagues or anyone who worked at Sprite between 1962 and 1964 to get in touch as they may hold vital evidence about whether asbestos was used in the caravans’ manufacture and what the working practices were at the factory in 1962-1964.

Rosemary Giles, an asbestos related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell’s London office is helping Patricia find answers about why she has lost her husband. She said: “Patricia and her family are still struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of Alan. This case is not just about being provided with financial security – the whole family desperately want information from his former colleagues so they can start to understand what has happened.

“It is particularly tragic that Alan’s deterioration was so fast that he died before doctors could diagnose his symptoms as being a result of exposure to asbestos. Sadly mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and there is no cure.

“We now need his former colleagues from the 1960s to help with information so we can help the family get the answers they need and help others who may find themselves in the same situation as Patricia and her family.”

Patricia and Alan lived in Little Downham whilst he worked at the factory before moving to Peterborough where Patricia still lives now.

Patricia said: “Alan was a great family man and was devoted to our children and grandchildren. Until he began suffering from shoulder pain he had been fit and healthy which made it even more difficult to accept when he deteriorated so quickly.

“I just hope anyone at the factory who worked with Alan gets in touch as they may have the vital answers we need to be able to come to terms with what has happened.”

Anyone who thinks they might have relevant information should contact Rosemary Giles on 0370 1500 100 or email rosemary.giles@irwinmithell.com.