A FORMER coal miner "spoke" from beyond the grave at a Bolton inquest into his death.

A catalogue of complaints against British Coal - made by Tyldesley coalface worker Kevin Corcoran months before his death - were read out in the coroner's court by a family lawyer.

In his statement Mr Corcoran, who died last October after being diagnosed with cancer, told how he had worked overtime dismantling haulage machines and in salvage work, but had never had any warnings about the dangers of asbestos.

Masks

Solicitor Philip Browell said Mr Corcoran - who worked in many collieries over 31 years, including Lancashire's last-to-shut pit Parkside - had come into contact with white asbestos whilst removing linings underground.

In his statement, Mr Corcoran, said: "I was never made aware by my employers that asbestos was dangerous. No-one was wearing masks and we didn't know that we were working with asbestos.

"On five occasions I was involved in salvage work, including removing lagging from pipes at Bickershaw Colliery."

The inquest heard how Mr Corcoran, of Blandford Close, Tyldesley, died at the Royal Bolton Hospital last October, aged 51.

A post mortem revealed the cause of death was peritonitis, due to a perforated ulcer brought about by the cancer, Mesothelioma.

Coroner Martin Coppel recorded that Mr Corcoran's death was due to an industrial disease "on the balance of probabilities".

The verdict has been welcomed by Mr Corcoran's widow, Pamela, who will now be pressing for compensation.

After the proceedings, Mrs Corcoran said she would be taking British Coal to court.

She said: "I am very pleased, although it was the verdict that I expected.

"It is very upsetting to have to fight for compensation, but the verdict is a definite step forward.

"It's not just about the money. I just don't want other people to go through what we have gone through."

Liable

Mr Corcoran's angry daughter, Kim Dickinson, 27, said: "Employers have just got to take the responsibility and realise that they are liable for the health of their workers."

Solicitor Browell claims Mr Corcoran's case could open the floodgates of similar compensation claims in the North-west.

Mr Browell, of Newcastle upon Tyne solicitors Brown, Smith and Goodhew, said he was compiling a number of claims alleging British Coal exposed miners to high levels of asbestos.

He said: "Mr Corcoran has spoken beyond the grave at the inquest.

"My advice to other workers, particularly work surface miners, who are showing symptoms is to first contact your doctor and then contact someone who can deal with any claim."

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