Family appeal for help to fill in the blanks following Rushden dad’s asbestos-related death

The widow of a former lab assistant and scene of crime photographer who lived in Rushden has made a plea to his former colleagues to help find answers over his death.

Rushden man Laurie Wood died in March 2020 aged 73, four months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Originally from Derbyshire, his widow Brenda is making a heartfelt plea to former work colleagues for information, following his death from the asbestos-related disease.

Brenda, 68, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and if it was linked to his work history in three places including at a laboratory in Northampton.

She said: “Laurie’s diagnosis was a bolt from the blue. Neither he nor I could imagine where he could have come into contact with asbestos. Then he recalled the lab refurbishment, but he was really too ill to tell us much more or be sure if he was working in Northamptonshire or Bedfordshire at the time.

“We would be so grateful if anyone who remembers Laurie could help us fill in the blanks. He was a wonderful father and husband. He didn’t deserve to face this disease and suffer like he did at a time when he should’ve been enjoying his retirement.”

The family has now joined the legal team in appealing to any former workmates who worked with Laurie during his time as a scene of crime photographer at Mount Police Station in Northampton between 1974 and 1991.

They would also like to trace anyone who remembers Laurie from his time as a lab assistant with Explosives and Chemical Products Limited in Alfreton, Derbyshire in the 1960s.

Roger Maddocks, a partner and asbestos-related disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Laurie’s death is yet another terrible case of asbestos exposure which vividly highlights the impact that asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma have on the whole family.

“Before he died, Laurie was able to provide some information on where he may have encountered asbestos during his working life. We’re now keen to create a fuller picture about the conditions he may have faced.

“Nothing can bring Laurie back but understanding what happened to a much loved husband will bring the family the answers they need and the closure they deserve.

“Any detail really could make all the difference.”

For 17 years between 1974 and 1991, Laurie worked for the police. Laurie was employed as a photographer at the Mounts Police Station and Wootton Hall Police HQ in Northampton.

During this period he also spent time working for Bedfordshire Police in Kempston, as a scene of crime officer and lab manager.

Before he died, Laurie said asbestos was found during a lab refurbishment, when the ceiling tiles were taken down. However, he couldn’t be sure if this was in Wootton Hall Park in Northampton, or following his transfer to the Bedfordshire Police.

He started to feel unwell in June 2019 with a stomach ache and was unable to eat or drink very much. He was referred for blood tests and CT Scan in October 2019. The official diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma came in December 2019.

Laurie’s treatment consisted of high-dose systemic chemotherapy. Unfortunately, Laurie’s condition deteriorated quickly. Over the course of his treatment he experienced a lot of pain. He struggled to walk and was still unable to eat or drink very much. Laurie passed away in March 2020.

Keen ballroom dancers, Laurie and Brenda first began dancing when he was 26-years-old. They used to attend weekly classes and even passed all of their exams. Laurie and Brenda continued to attend weekly dancing up until October 2019.

Despite his illness, Laurie managed to take the pictures of Brenda’s daughter’s wedding on in September 2019 and was very pleased he got to capture those moments, as his family did not think he would have been able to due to his condition.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Megan Gascoigne at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 434 0708 or email: [email protected]