Poet Dylan was 'worked to death'

It was on 9 November, 1953 that Dylan Thomas died in New York City

An author claims he has uncovered the truth behind the death of poet Dylan Thomas in New York 55 years ago.

It is accepted Thomas drank himself to death, but writer David Thomas alleges that medical incompetency and neglect contributed to his end on 9 Nov, 1953.

He also accuses two late colleagues of Thomas - his US tour agent John Brinnin and his assistant Liz Reitell - of working the Welsh poet "to death".

David Thomas, from Ceredigion, has written several books about Thomas.

A previous publication, A Farm, Two Mansions and a Bungalow, was made into The Edge of Love, a movie released earlier this year starring Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Matthew Rhys.

In his new book, Fatal Neglect: Who Killed Dylan Thomas, Mr Thomas accuses some of those closest to the poet at the time of covering up the real reason for his death.

Not surprisingly, a cover-up was put in place to protect those responsible Author David Thomas

Thomas was in New York to take part in a play of Under Milk Wood at the city's Poetry Center.

Mr Thomas said Brinnin knew Dylan Thomas was ill, but alleges the agent needed his cut of the poet's earnings because he was in financial trouble.

Mr Thomas, from Ciliau Aeron, near Lampeter, said: "He died from neglect. His agent knew he was sick but he didn't look after him properly.

"He was suffering from a very treatable illness, but his New York doctor failed to diagnose it. He should have been rushed to hospital, but it took two hours to get him there.

Sienna Miller and Matthew Rhys during the filming of The Edge of Love

"He died a needless death. Not surprisingly, a cover-up was put in place to protect those responsible. It's a tragic tale of how a sick poet was exploited for financial gain and academic prestige."

Chest problems

Mr Thomas said Dylan was already ill when he arrived in New York on 20 October. He had a history of black-outs and chest problems, and was using an inhaler to help his breathing.

"Despite his duty of care, Brinnin stayed away from New York," said David Thomas.

"Being Dylan's agent had become boring and interfered with his other work. He remained at home in Boston and handed responsibility to his ambitious assistant, Liz Reitell.

"She met Dylan at Idlewild Airport (later renamed John F Kennedy Airport) and realised immediately he was ill.

"But determined to make the play a success, she worked him to death, as he struggled through four rehearsals and two performances of the play in just five days."

As Thomas's condition worsened he saw Dr Milton Feltenstein, whom the author describes as Dr Feelgood.

He said Ms Reitell would later say the doctor believed injections could cure anything.

But during a third consultation it is claimed Dr Feltenstein injected Thomas with 30mg of morphine - three times the normal dose for pain relief, according to the new book's author.

Fatal Neglect: Who Killed Dylan Thomas is published by Seren.