Ex-rugby ace had industrial disease, town inquest told

A FORMER rugby player who had two Welsh caps could have been exposed to asbestos while working as an “electrician’s mate”, an inquest has heard.

Derek Grindell, of Pontyclun, died on August 16, 2017.

The inquest heard that the former rugby player, who grew up in Cardiff, had lung problems after spending time working at industrial sites earlier in his life.

Mr Grindell, 83, had mesothelioma – a cancer that most commonly starts in the layers of tissue that cover each lung.

During the hearing at Aberdare Coroner’s Court, coroner Andrew Barkley read a statement out on behalf of Mr Grindell’s family.

The statement read: “Mr Grindell was one of three children and he attended school in Cardiff.

“He went to the Howardian School in 1945. He excelled in sports and played for Cardiff. “He also had two Welsh caps. “He worked as an electrician’s mate and much of this work was carried out at industrial sites.

“This is where he may have come into contact with asbestos.”

Evidence read out on behalf of pathologist Dr Jason Shannon said the cause of Mr Grindell’s death was pneumonia, caused by a malignant mesothelioma of the left lung pleura.

Mr Barkley said: “I will record that Mr Grindell’s death was the result of an industrial disease.”