Family of Teesside metalworker appeal for help after death from asbestos cancer

Paul Crossley, a lifelong Billingham resident, died in July 2025 aged 67, just two weeks after his mesothelioma diagnosis. He had only retired a few months earlier.

Paul, known to many colleagues as 'Harry the Spider', worked as a plater throughout his career, starting off as an apprentice in metal plating in 1970. 

He undertook this apprenticeship with Swan Hunter Ltd, which had a shipbuilding presence in the Teesside area. 

Records show Paul worked for the company until around 1975, and his family believe this is when he was most likely exposed to asbestos. 

He told his family about working on the “Cleveland Project” while at Swan Hunter Ltd. Research carried out by his family’s legal team suggests this likely involved working in Port Clarence Shipyard near the Tees Transporter Bridge. 

After moving on from Swan Hunter Ltd, Paul continued to live and work in the Teesside area as a plater until he retired in November 2024. 

In July 2025, Paul was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare form of the asbestos cancer affecting the abdominal area. He died two weeks later. 

Following his death, Paul’s family instructed the asbestos team at Leigh Day to investigate his case. 

Paul’s family and legal team are now hoping to find more information about his working conditions while at Swan Hunter Ltd in the early 1970s. They are looking for his former colleagues and other people who worked there at a similar time, who can provide information about the possible presence of asbestos.  

His family’s legal team are keen for anyone who worked with Paul and recalls circumstances where he may have been exposed to asbestos to come forward. 

Leigh Day partner Steven Dickens, who represents Paul’s family, said: 

“Paul died just a couple of weeks after his diagnosis with peritoneal mesothelioma. Because of the swift and aggressive nature of his illness we were unable to speak with him before his death.  We hope this witness appeal can lead us to more information about his working environment. We would like to hear from Paul’s colleagues at Swan Hunter Ltd in the early 1970s, who may be able to provide more detail about the possible presence of asbestos.   

“We are also keen to hear from anyone who worked with Paul during his 55-year career, who may recall working with Paul in circumstances where he was exposed to asbestos.  Paul spent much of his working life in heavy industry, working on power stations and oil refineries and any information about asbestos exposure on any of these sites could prove crucial to Paul’s family.”