The family of a Shropshire woman who died after being exposed to asbestos during a massive fire at a county military depot has vowed to continue her bid to sue the Ministry of Defence.
Ellen Paddock claimed it was the fallout from the blaze at the Telford depot 25 years ago that caused her to develop an asbestos-related tumour.
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And before her death on July 22 last year, the mother-of-three launched legal proceedings against the MoD.
Yesterday, an inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death, due to exposure to asbestos fibres released in a fire at MoD Central Ordnance Depot Donnington on June 24, 1983. The jury had heard how, as a seven-year-old, Miss Paddock had played in the ashes from the fallout of the fire.
Miss Paddock’s mother Mary Bush, 60, of Brookside, said: “We are carrying on with the legal proceedings - Ellen would have wanted us to. She lost all those years off her life that she could have had for her and her girls.”
Miss Paddock’s sister Sharon Bush, also of Brookside, said she hoped this case would raise awareness of the potential effects of the blaze.
The 34-year-old had played with her sister in the ashes on the day of the fire.
“All the kids were in it. People have got to know about this and how dangerous this is,” she said.
“I’m glad we’ve got the verdict. Now we know what happened instead of just thinking it.
“I remember Ellen came home (in early 2007) and she said brace yourself. She said I’ve only got a year to live. But she didn’t even have that long.”
The family’s solicitor, Helen Childs, said court proceedings would be issued in the next few weeks in London’s High Court.
She confirmed a case against Rubery Owen, where Ellen’s father had worked and came into contact with asbestos, had been dropped.
She added: “I think it’s the right verdict. It’s established a link between the huge fire and Ellen’s sad death.
“Hopefully nothing more will come out of this but I actually think that’s rather unlikely. It was such an enormous fire with a plume of smoke with a huge radius.”
An MoD spokesman said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Miss Paddock at this very difficult time.
“The Ministry of Defence has noted the comments made by the coroner and has learned lessons from this tragic accident.
“The Ministry of Defence takes the health and safety of its staff and neighbours very seriously and considerable work has been put in to ensure that the risk of such an accident happening again is minimised.”
One Comment
what a tragedy for such a young woman.i attended both the large fires at the then c.o.d donnington.many of us fighting the fire had no breathing apparatus as there were to many of us.i wonder how many more families will suffer like ellens.for the m.o.d to deny asbestos was involved beggers belief it was hanging in the air in large blobs all around us.