Man Recalls Job On Bowburn Pit Site While Working For Otley-Based Firm

A former demolition worker has issued an emotional appeal for help to establish how he contracted the terminal asbestos cancer that looks set to claim his life.

Barry Nelson, from Darlington, has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of cancer linked to exposure to asbestos often decades previously.

The 74-year-old wants to find out the answers to what caused his illness and has instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate.

As part of their investigations Barry’s legal team are looking into whether his illness may be linked to his time working in the construction and demolition industries.

Barry and the legal experts are appealing for anyone who worked with him during his time with Otley-based demolition firm A Ogden & Sons (Demolitions) Ltd between 1968 and 1970 to come forward and provide information on how he may have come into contact with asbestos.

Barry specifically remembers working on the demolition of the Bowburn Pit in Durham for the firm.

Expert Opinion

“This is sadly yet another devastating case in which someone has seemingly been exposed to asbestos during their work, with the consequences of that contact only becoming clear many years later.

“While sadly the doctors cannot do anything for Barry with regards to curing his cancer we are determined to help Barry discover how his illness developed before it’s too late.

“We feel that more information on his time working at A Ogden & Sons could be vital to our efforts. We would be grateful to anyone who may be able to shed light on the conditions Barry would have faced while employed by the company.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

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Barry recalls working for A Ogden & Sons, which was an Otley-based company, from around 1968 to 1970. He specifically remembers working on the demolition of the Bowburn Pit in Durham for the firm.

Barry has been married to Pat, 74, for 54 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Barry enjoys days out with his family, especially visiting Whitby and gardening.

He started to suffer from chest problems and a pain in his ribs towards the end of 2016. Following tests it was confirmed that he had developed mesothelioma.

He said: “All of my work was very dusty, but Bowburn Pit was particularly bad. We had to completely level the site and buildings and I was involved in a lot of burning work, as well as cutting up a range of different metalwork. This included pipework and much of it still had asbestos on it.

“Being diagnosed with mesothelioma was a huge shock. While I have tried to come to terms with my diagnosis but the cancer is affecting me more and more every day.

“I have so many questions about how I could have been exposed to asbestos and I think I deserve answers, not just for me but for my family.

“It can’t change what has happened to me, but hopefully by having my old colleagues come forward, it will enable my family to understand why this happened and how.

“Any help on the matter would be hugely appreciated.”

Anyone with information should contact Amber Price at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office on 0191 279 0111 or email amber.price@irwinmitchell.com