Probe into death of Oxfordshire man in south west France

Donald Vick was enjoying his retirement in the south west of France when he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. 

Mesothelioma is linked almost exclusively to exposure to asbestos, and it transformed the previously fit and active Mr Vick and left him increasingly unwell and breathless. 

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Mr Vick underwent treatment in France, but his condition continued to deteriorate, and he died in May 2023, aged 78.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline, who has instructed industrial disease law experts at Thompsons Solicitors to carry out an investigation into his work history to determine when and where he was exposed to asbestos.

The legal team is now appealing for witnesses who may have worked with Mr Vick at any time during his career, particularly those who worked with him at the Oxfordshire-based builder’s merchant R J Johnsons of Oxford between 1961 and 1975.

Speaking to his loved ones before his death, Mr Vick said that it was during this time that he recalled coming into contact with asbestos sheeting, which was regularly stocked within the building merchant’s yard and which he was responsible for cutting down to size to meet specifications using a circular saw.

Commenting on the case and the appeal for witnesses, Emily Thornton, an asbestos disease specialist at Thompsons Solicitors who is representing Mrs Vick, said: “While the dangers of asbestos have been known for many decades, there are still thousands of deaths attributed to occupational exposure, every single year.

Donald Vick, pictured left, with friends (Image: Supplied)

“Mr Vick’s family, like many others who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma, have found it very difficult to come to terms with the fact that his death should have been preventable.

“We would be grateful to hear from anyone who remembers working alongside Mr Vick at any point during his career, but particularly those who can recall the working conditions at R J Johnsons of Oxford during the 1960s and 1970s.”

Anyone with information can contact Emily Thornton at Thompsons Solicitors on 02920 445345, or via email at emilythornton@thompsons.law.

Mrs Vick said anyone who knew Donald would remember his “lively character”.

She said: “He always had a lot to say and was lovely to be around.

“Together, we loved to keep active and would regularly go walking and cycling, so it really was such a shock when he became ill and his health deteriorated so quickly.

“We had so many plans to travel around Europe in our campervan and enjoy our retirement, and it’s very difficult to come to terms with the fact that we’ve been robbed of that time together.”

The location of where Mr Vick has not been disclosed at this stage.