THE asbestos timebomb has claimed the lives of two more York men.

Bricklayer Norman Angell, of Acomb, York, is believed to have been exposed to the deadly dust more than 30 years ago. He died on July 22 last year, aged 69.

At his inquest, York coroner Donald Coverdale read a statement written by Mr Angell before his death. In it he stated he had been a bricklayer all his life. He recalled coming into contact with asbestos in 1973 when he was working at a boiler house owned by British Railways. He recalled pulling the asbestos off an old boiler during a two-day job at the site. “We simply pulled it off with our bare hands,” he wrote.

Mr Angell also wrote that at no time was he provided with safety clothing, goggles or masks. That was the only time he could be sure he came into contact with asbestos.

Mr Coverdale recorded that Mr Angell died of malignant mesothelomia, a form of cancer frequently caused by exposure to asbestos.

He was satisfied Mr Angell had died from industrial disease.

“It is a well known fact exposure to asbestos can lead to this awful conclusion many, many years after exposure has taken place and that seems to be what has happened here.”

Mr Coverdale also recorded the same verdict after an inquest on Henry Yates, of Front Street, Acomb.

The 86-year-old former electrical engineer, who died on November 16, 2009, had suffered prolonged exposure to asbestos.

In a statement written before his death, Mr Yates said there was “no doubt” he had come into contact with asbestos “a number of times” during his 21 years working for the then Cosely Builders.