Lawyers called in after death of Staffordshire grandad taken ill on Kos holiday

A devastated family has called in lawyers after the death of a cancer-hit 73-year-old grandad. Retired gas-fitter Steve Fretwell died in December and a post-mortem examination found he had the mesothelioma asbestos-related cancer.

The grandad-of-five had only been taken ill on a Kos holiday in June that year and spent 16 days in an Athens hospital. He then spent seven weeks in a UK hospital, was readmitted to hospital in November, and passed away on December 20.

Now his loved-ones are appealing for information from any of Steve's former colleagues about their working conditions around asbestos. Mesothelioma is often associated with exposure to asbestos decades previously.

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Steve was living in Staffordshire when he started work as an apprentice gas fitter with East Midlands Gas Board in 1967 and fully qualified in 1971. He had spoken of coming into contact with asbestos when cutting asbestos-filled boards for fireplaces on a daily basis and when converting properties to natural gas. He retired in 2015.

Daughter Lynne Fretwell said: “When dad fell ill, we thought he maybe had some sort of chest infection and expected him to recover, but he deteriorated so quickly. It was heart-breaking. While we were told it could be cancer the day before dad died it was still a huge shock when we found out it was mesothelioma.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult time for all the family, especially mum who has been totally heartbroken since we lost dad. It was another blow when we heard that his work could be to blame for his illness. While there’s nothing we can do to turn back the clock and bring dad back, we’re determined to honour his memory by getting him some answers.

“Mum remembers that some of dad’s colleagues attended their wedding in 1970 We’d really appreciate it if anyone who remembers working with him could come forward. It would mean so much to our family.”

Steve had been married to wife Patricia for 53 years. As well as being parents to Lynne, the couple had two sons – Lee, 48, and David, 45 – as well as five grandchildren.

The family has instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell following Steve's death.

Its asbestos-related disease expert Nick Woods said: “Steve’s death from mesothelioma continues to have a profound impact on his loved-ones, particularly Lynne who understandably remains devastated at losing her dad. What happened to Steve is also a vivid reminder of the terrible legacy left behind by asbestos, the effects of which often only become apparent many years after the initial contact. While nothing will bring Steve back, Lynne has many questions over how he became unwell. We’re determined to support her in obtaining the answers she deserves. We’d therefore be grateful to hear from anyone that worked with Steve. Any detail could prove vital to our investigation.”

To contact Nick Woods at Irwin Mitchell call 0114 274 4292.

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