A scrap metal merchant who stripped copper boilers for a living died from an industrial disease, an inquest has heard.
80-year-old Ernest Vig, who was born in Hungary but moved to Huddersfield aged 23, spent the majority of his working life as a self-employed scrap metal merchant. He was responsible for cutting up copper boilers which were covered with asbestos.
Mr Vig suffered a stroke in 2008 which left him wheelchair bound. In 2012, he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma after suffering lung complications.
His condition worsened and he died in May of this year.
A post mortem examination confirmed that malignant mesothelioma was the cause of Mr Vig’s death.
Coroner Roger Whittaker recorded a verdict that Mr Vig died from an industrial disease.