A former steam train cleaner died due to asbestos exposure, an inquest has heard.
Peter King, from Stretton, Staffordshire, died in June this year after being diagnosed with mesothelioma last July.
He was placed in palliative care after it was confirmed that he was terminally ill.
An inquest held at Burton Town Hall heard how Mr King, who was 78, had successfully claimed for compensation from British Rail after being diagnosed with the cancer, which is related to asbestos exposure. Mr King had worked for British Rail in previous years and was responsible for cleaning the stream trains.
In a statement to the inquest, Mr King’s wife, Linda, said: “It is a very cruel and distressing disease for both the patient and the carer.”
South Staffordshire Coroner, Andrew Haigh, recorded a verdict that Mr King had died as the result of an industrial disease.