Investigations Into Dunstable Factory Under Way

The family of a long-term former employee of Vauxhall Motors have launched an inquiry to seek answers as to how their husband and father died of the asbestos-related cancer.

Charles Hughes, who had lived in Dunstable for many years, was well-known in the area for his love of ballroom dancing in which he competed and taught to a high level.

Charles followed his own father to work at Vauxhall. Beginning as an electrician at the Luton factory in 1954, he moved on to work in the Bedford division at Dunstable from 1957. Although aged 86 at the time of his diagnosis, he remained a frequent runner and swimmer, until experiencing severe breathlessness in the summer of 2016. Following tests he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2016, a form of terminal cancer linked to asbestos often decades previously.

He died, aged 87, in May 2017.

Since his death, his wife and son have instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and how he may have been exposed to the hazardous material.

Now, as part of their ongoing work, the experts are seeking information regarding the working conditions that Charles may have faced when he worked at Vauxhall, principally at the Dunstable factory of the vehicle manufacturer from 1957 to 1990.

Expert Opinion

“Charles was an incredibly fit man for his age. He fought so bravely against the disease which caused him and his family so much distress.

“Whilst we are aware of claims arising from the Vauxhall factory, I appeal to anyone to come forward who worked at Vauxhall in Dunstable from about 1957 to 1990 and also anyone who specifically recalls Charles.

“We know that asbestos was found extensively in the factory in later years, and Charles recollected that the store area for the electricians from about 1980 was in the boilerhouse at the factory.

“However, even the smallest detail could be helpful in helping Mr Hughes’s family piece together his work history and to find out the answers they deserve regarding his illness and his cause of death.” Ian Bailey - Partner

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Charles’s son, Nigel Hughes, said: “It was so hard to see my Dad deteriorate so quickly. From being a very active man for his age, he rapidly lost weight and became reliant on others for support and assistance. It is so cruel to see how the mesothelioma affected him in the final months and how he was taken from us all before he should have been.

“As a family, we ask for anyone to come forward to assist with their recollections of Dad and his work for Vauxhall so that we can understand what caused the disease which killed him, obtain justice and put his memory properly to rest.”

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Ian Bailey at Irwin Mitchell on 0207 421 4754 or email ian.bailey@irwinmitchell.com.