Ronald Garwood, of Acomb, England, died in 2009 of an asbestos-related, occupational cancer at the age of 68.  Garwood’s widow, Marjorie, is not sure where and when her husband was exposed to asbestos, but she believes it was while he was working as a track engineer at British Rail’s depot in Dringhouses between 1968 and 1994.  Garwood worked on the tracks next to the former York Carriageworks, which has since become known as a location of widespread asbestos exposure.

Garwood suffered from pleural mesothelioma, a rare and terminal cancer of the protective lining of the lungs that is caused exclusively by prolonged asbestos exposure.  Whenever asbestos is disturbed, microscopic, carcinogenic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity.  These fibers penetrated the lungs and fester for decades.  Mesothelioma takes an average of 40 years to develop, making the timing appropriate, as Garwood’s cancer was detected in May 2009.  He passed away four months later.

Now the Garwood family is appealing for former railway colleagues to contact them to help with their investigation.  The fact that mesothelioma takes so long to develop “makes it difficult to trace colleagues and insurance documents. We urge anybody who worked with Mr. Garwood at British Rail, and in particular at the carriageworks, to come forward,” explained the family’s attorney.

“Ronald was very popular and well-known at British Rail so I am sure there are people out there who remember working with him,” said Marjorie, who urged anyone with information to come forward.

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