Families of two salmonella victims hope inquest will finally provide them with answers

Relatives of two people whose deaths were linked to a salmonella outbreak in East Durham are hoping an inquest will provide them with answers nearly three years on.
Stewart Graham and Sandra Blake who were found to have had salmonella following their deaths in 2018.Stewart Graham and Sandra Blake who were found to have had salmonella following their deaths in 2018.
Stewart Graham and Sandra Blake who were found to have had salmonella following their deaths in 2018.

There were 19 confirmed cases of salmonella and three suspected cases in East Durham and Hartlepool in early 2018, Public Health England said.

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Following their deaths, the families of Sandra and Stewart instructed specialist public health lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate how they died.

The joint inquest will take place at Teesside Magistrates' Court.The joint inquest will take place at Teesside Magistrates' Court.
The joint inquest will take place at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

An inquest is due to take place at Teesside Magistrates’ Court over December 8 and 9.

Ahead of the hearing Heath Blake, 71, husband of retired council worker Sandra, said: “We all continue to miss Sandra and struggle to accept that’s she no longer part of our lives.

"Not only was she a wonderful wife and my best friend but she was also an amazing mum and grandmother.

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“We’ve had to be patient but we hope that the inquest will finally answer all of the concerns our family has.”

Stewart Graham, a father of five and well known former Sunderland Football Club coach, was found dead at his home in Shotton Colliery, on February 21 in 2018.

His daughter Paula Conway, 45, said: “When Dad started feeling unwell everyone thought it would pass in a few days and he would start getting back to normal in a week or so. That he didn’t is still a huge shock to us.

"We know the inquest and listening to the circumstances as to how he died is going to be difficult but we feel it’s something we have to do on his behalf.

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“We still have a lot of questions about his death and just hope that the inquest will finally provide us with answers.”

Jatinder Paul, of Irwin Mitchell, said: “Sandra’s and Stewart’s families remain devastated by their deaths, particularly the circumstances surrounding them.

“While it’s only right that a thorough investigation was allowed to take place, the last few years and not knowing the full circumstances as to why Sandra and Stewart died has taken a huge toll on their loved ones.

“They now hope that the inquest will provide them with the vital answers they deserve.”

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