Former miner's 20 years underground contributed to his death from Covid-19
Arnold Saunders died at County Hospital in Stafford
Aimi Redfern
County Hospital, Stafford (Image: Google Street View)
Retired miner Arnold Saunders died in hospital after contracting Covid-19.
The 84-year-old died at County Hospital in Stafford on November 30.
An inquest was held into Mr Saunders's death because of the possibility his 20-plus years as a miner may have contributed to it.
Mr Saunders' primary cause of death was recorded as Covid-19, but as his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was listed as a contributory factor, Andrew Haigh – senior coroner for South Staffordshire – concluded his death was work-related.
Mr Saunders, who lived in Melbourne Road, Cannock, suffered from diabetes mellitus, which was also said to have contributed to his death.
Mr Haigh said: "Mr Saunders had COPD, likely to consist of bronchitis and emphysema, and coal dust is a common cause of that.
"He was an underground coal miner for over 20 years. He was in receipt of enhanced pension payments likely to be due to industrial disease.
"In this case the final cause of death is Covid-19, which is respiratory-related. Overall I believe the COPD has made a significant contribution to the death after that occupational exposure to coal dust."
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