THE inquest into the deaths of seven people following an outbreak of legionnaire's disease following a leak of deadly bacteria at the Forum 28 building in Barrow in 2002 has opened.
However South Cumbria coroner Ian Smith has expressed disappointment that former Barrow Borough Council architect Gillian Beckingham, who was found guilty of breaching health and safety laws and fined £15,000 in relation to the incident, would not be attending the inquest on medical grounds.
"Her solicitors have provided a five page report on her medical condition which I accept. Attending the inquest would have made her condition worse. That is a source of great disappointment to me and, I am sure, the families involved," said Mr Smith.
The inquest is expected to last five days.
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