Appeal For Former Workmates To Come Forward With Information

The widow of a former marine engineer from Hull who died of asbestos-related cancer has joined with legal experts to launch an emotional appeal for answers regarding the illness which took his life.

Keith Bacon passed away at the age of 74 last October, around four months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. A cancer which affects the lining of the lung, the condition is most commonly linked to contact with asbestos materials.

Shortly before his death, Keith and his family including wife Ann, 69, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to examine how he developed the illness and whether it might be linked to his work for various companies at docks up and down the country.

As part of their ongoing investigations, the lawyers have now teamed up with Keith’s loved ones to appeal for information regarding the working conditions he would have faced while working for companies including J Knaggs Electrical, Electrical Controls Humberside and Fairburn Electrical in the late 1980s. They are also seeking information on the docks he worked at, which include Hull-based sites like St Andrew’s Dock and Albert Dock.

Hannah Robinson, the legal expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office who is representing the family, said: “This is yet another devastating case which highlights the terrible impact that asbestos exposure can have.

“While we were able to have a brief conversation with Keith regarding his working life shortly before he died, he was very ill and could not provide a great amount of detail regarding his career. As such, we are keen to gather more information on what he would have faced during his time at these companies and these docks.

“We would be very grateful if anyone who recalls working with him or has knowledge of the companies in question could come forward and help us in our efforts. It could truly make a major difference.”

Keith worked for J Knaggs Electrical, Electrical Controls Humberside and Fairburn Electrical around the same period towards the end of the 1980s.

Furthermore, he recalled working at St Andrew’s Dock, Albert Dock and King George Dock in Hull, while he remembered also being employed at a dock in Southampton but could not recall its name.

His wife Ann said: “Keith was a truly wonderful man and a much-loved father, grandfather and great grandfather. The family misses him every day and our efforts to come to terms with what happened have been hampered by the lack of answers regarding how his illness emerged.

“We only have a small amount of detail regarding his working life and would be hugely grateful if anyone with information on the employers or docks mentioned could come forward. Such support would make a major difference as we look to ultimately get answers and justice regarding what he faced in the final weeks of his life.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Hannah Robinson at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office on 0113 394 6842 or email hannah.robinson@irwinmitchell.com.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling asbestos-related disease cases