Family of man who worked at London Bridge and died from asbestos exposure seek answers

The heartbroken family of a man who died from a condition caused by asbestos exposure have issued an appeal for information from his former co-workers.  

David Gowing, who lived in Erith for the majority of his life, died at the age of 95 from respiratory failure.

He was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich suffering from shortness of breath in October 2021.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia and blood clots on his lungs and sadly passed away just sixteen days after arriving at the hospital.

An inquest that took place at Southwark Coroners Court in February 2022 revealed that the father of three had suffered from extensive lung destruction caused by asbestos exposure.

He worked as a boiler operator at the now closed down Bankside Power Station, which is home to the Tate Modern, for the Central Electricity Generating Board from 1948 to 1970.

He then worked for British Rail, which became Network Rail, at London Bridge as an electricians mate between 1970 and 1991. 

Devastated by the news, his family instructed industrial disease lawyers at Simpson Millar’s law firm to investigate when and where he was exposed to the deadly dust, and whether more could have been done to protect him.  

Speaking after his death, David’s son, David John Gowing, who lives in Aylesford, said: “We are still trying to come to terms with my father’s death.  

“Losing a loved one is always difficult, under any circumstances, but to know now that his condition was caused as a result of asbestos exposure is extremely hard. 

“Before he passed away he would often talk about his time working at both Bankside Power Station and for British Rail, and he would tell us stories about when he would come into contact with asbestos, such as when he would drill walls using a hammer drill to strip wires.

“As a family, we are desperate to understand how and when he may have come into contact with asbestos, and whether more could have been done to keep him safe, and we would very much like to hear from anyone who may have information about the working conditions he was subjected to.”

Simpson Millar believe that as part of a career spanning almost 22 years at Bankside Power Station, Mr Gowing worked would most likely have come into contact with asbestos which was used extensively as an insulation on boilers and pipework.

During his 11-years at British Rail, the law firm believe Mr Gowing would have come into contact with the asbestos materials in electrical wiring, carriage walls and station buildings. 

The family’s lawyer, specialist industrial disease expert Anthony Waddington from Simpson Millar, said: “There are over 5,000 asbestos-related deaths per year and this is a figure that continues to increase and devastate the lives of victims as well as their families.  

“While the dangers of asbestos have been known for many decades there are still, sadly, many people dying prematurely because of related illnesses, because they were not made aware of its presence and were not provided with protective equipment.” 

If you have any information about Mr Gowing or the work conditions at Bankside Power Station or British Rail, you can contact the Simpson Millar legal team on 0345 357 9200.  

The Tate Modern and Network Rail have been contacted for comment.

Pictured top: David Gowing (Picture: Family handout)