Widow's shock after husband 'killed by job at Goodyear'
The widow of a man who died from bladder cancer after four decades working in the tyre industry has spoken of her shock at learning that he was killed by the job he loved.
Valerie Spruce, lost husband Fred in November last year, just weeks after he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
An inquest concluded that he died from an industrial disease, with a possible link to exposure to chemicals at the Goodyear Tyre plant in Wolverhampton.
His 71-year-old widow is now appealing for former work colleagues to come forward to help with a legal investigation into how her husband was exposed to the substances.
Mr Spruce joined Goodyear Tyres in September 1961, based at the company's Stafford Road branch until he retired in December 2003.
The father-of-one, who worked as a tyre builder, was diagnosed with metastatic carcinoma of the bladder in October after he suffered dramatic weight loss and went to his GP. He died just four weeks later, on November 14, aged 72.
It is believed the factory was contaminated with dusts, fumes and other chemical by-products, which workers inhaled or absorbed through their skin.
At the inquest in December, South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh concluded that Mr Spruce's death was due to an industrial disease connected to his 42 years at Goodyear.
Alex Shorey, an industrial disease lawyer for Irwin Mitchell, representing Mrs Spruce, said: "He was initially investigated for colon cancer and the subsequent CT scan revealed bladder cancer that had spread to his lungs. The inquest raised a lot of questions about Fred's work as well as the cause of his illness."
Mrs Spruce, of Richmond Drive, Perton, said: "Fred spent 42 years working for Goodyear Tyres, had a wonderful career and made many life-long friends, so when I found out after he died that his bladder cancer was caused by his exposure to the tyre rubber, I was shocked and heartbroken."
The couple, who grew up in Bushbury and met at the Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, were married for more than 50 years and enjoyed holidays abroad, including to Australia and Egypt, after retiring. They have a daughter, Elaine, 29, who is a nurse.
Mrs Spruce said: "I miss him terribly. His illness was so rapid, we didn't get a chance to celebrate his life with him and visit places one last time.
"I'd really like to hear from anyone who worked with Fred, and there were many, who I hope can help me find answers."
She said her husband worked in Building 44 and was a member of blue shift.
Anyone who worked at Goodyear Dunlop between 1961-2003 is asked to contact Mr Shorey at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 214 5493 or Alex.Shorey@Irwin.Mitchell.co.uk.
