Drone fanatic, 47, falls off 250ft cliff and dies as a result of he wasn’t trying the place he was going

A father-of-three tragically lost his life after falling 250 feet from a cliff while operating a drone on a small island in South Devon. 

The inquest heard that Giles Battye, from Exeter, had been walking near the cliff edge when he became distracted by his drone and failed to notice the dangerous drop.

Coroner Miss Alison Longhorn concluded that the death was an accident, ruling out suicide.

The court heard that Mr Battye had been battling long Covid, which had taken a toll on both his health and business. 

The illness led to the collapse of his London-based shop fitting business, and he had also experienced the emotional strain of a relationship breakdown and the deaths of his father and a close friend who was also his business partner.

These challenges, coupled with his deteriorating health, saw Mr Battye move to Totnes, Devon, to live with his mother, where he continued to grapple with the effects of his illness. 

The inquest heard that Giles Battye, from Exeter, had been walking near the cliff edge when he became distracted by his drone and failed to notice the dangerous drop

Mr Battye move to Totnes, Devon, to live with his mother, where he continued to grapple with the effects of his illness (stock image)

His mother told the inquest that despite his struggles, he remained ‘optimistic’ and had a warm, affectionate nature.

On December 2, 2022, Mr Battye went out in his van and was not heard from again. His mother reported him missing three days later. 

CCTV footage later confirmed that his van had been parked at Burgh Island, a small island off the south Devon coast, and his belongings, including a rucksack and GoPro camera, were found by a member of the public and handed in to the island’s Art Deco hotel.

A full search, involving police, coastguards, and a lifeboat, was launched. Mr. Battye’s body was discovered on the rocks beneath the towering 250ft cliffs. 

The drone was found nearby, but it was water-damaged and its footage could not be retrieved. 

However, his GoPro camera revealed several short clips of Mr. Battye walking near the cliff edge while looking down at the camera rather than at his surroundings.

The drone was found nearby, but it was water-damaged and its footage could not be retrieved (file photo)

The coroner explained that Mr. Battye had been walking confidently along the cliff’s edge, but his attention was diverted by the drone, which led to the fatal fall. He died from multiple traumatic injuries.

His mother said that, despite the financial difficulties he faced, Mr. Battye was set to inherit a £1 million property portfolio, including her holiday let and shop properties.

Miss Longhorn, the coroner, recorded a conclusion of accidental death, stating that Mr. Battye’s distraction by the drone led to the fatal fall. 

There was no evidence to suggest he intended to take his own life, and he had no history of mental health issues.