Coventry family seek answers after ‘amazing’ mum dies of ‘asbestos-related cancer’

A grieving Coventry family is seeking answers after an “amazing” mother-of-two died from an asbestos-related illness they say is still “hard to come to terms with”. Evelyn Ridley died two years ago at the age of 87.

Evelyn died just a month after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, Irwin Mitchell said. She began to develop symptoms including breathing difficulties and was admitted to Coventry University Hospital.

In January 2022, Evelyn, who was known as Eve, was diagnosed with the disease and died just weeks later on 10 February 2022. Lawyers have now been instructed to investigate whether her diagnosis was linked to her time spent at Villiers Engineering Company in the West Midlands.

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Husband David Gazey, 90, is appealing for anyone who worked with Evelyn to come forward and provide information about the conditions she worked in during her time at Villiers Engineering Company in Wolverhampton. She worked as PA to the sales manager and joint general manager from 1955 to 1964.

Evelyn married David in March 1964 and the couple had two children named Mark and Timothy. David said that despite more than two years on, her tragic death is “so hard to accept”.

David said: “Evelyn was an amazing wife and mother. Even after two years, it is so hard to accept that he is no longer with us. She was really smart and organized which made her successful in her chosen career, but she was also really fun to be around and a real person.

“A lot is said, but she was one of those special people who brought out the best in everyone and although her engagement with Villiers was some time ago, I’m sure people will remember her.”

He added: “Evelyn did not deserve to suffer the way she did at the end and I am determined to find out how she was exposed to the asbestos that led to her death. If anyone could come forward we would really appreciate hearing from them.”

Evelyn was heavily involved in all aspects of the company, her work taking her to many areas of the site which was based on Marston Road. She worked close to the engine shop and foundries where heavy engineering and manufacturing processes were carried out, Irwin Mitchell said.

Lawyers said Evelyn watched the casting and manufacturing of engine components, including plating and die-casting. She recalled the job site being “very dirty and dusty” and her family believes there was a lot of asbestos on the site, Irwin Mitchell said.

Asbestos came into widespread use in Britain in the late 1800s, and use of the material increased rapidly after World War II. Scientists have been warning as far back as the 1920s and 1930s about the material’s potential health hazards.

Its use in Britain did not reach its peak until around the 1970s, and a final ban was only imposed in November 1999. Although it has been banned for more than two decades, it is estimated that around 90,000 people will have died because of asbestos. disease between 1970 and 2050.

Irwin Mitchell lawyer Jasmine Hunte said: “While many people associate asbestos with heavy industry, its use was far more widespread and Evelyn’s death is another reminder of the horrific legacy the dangerous material has created. David and Mark believe that Evelyn was probably exposed to asbestos during her career, so if any of her former work colleagues could come forward, they could prove vital to the investigation.”

Mrs Hunte continued: “Nothing can compensate for the pain they are going through, but David, Mark and their family would be extremely grateful to anyone who can help. The details of Evelyn’s conditions will go some way to answering their questions and ensuring that her family can get some form of closure after her death.”

A spokesman for Irwin Mitchell said Villiers was believed to be no longer trading. Anyone with information that could help David and Mark Gasey was asked to contact Jasmine Hunte at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 214 5473.

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