A father-of-three who went missing after failing to return home tragically died after falling approximately 200 feet from cliffs while filming with a drone, an inquest has heard. Giles Battye, 47, originally from Blackburn, Lancashire, was found dead at the bottom of cliffs in Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, five days after being reported missing.
Mr Battye had driven to the area on December 2, 2022, and walked to the tidal island of Burgh Island. He was reported missing by his mother, Ethel, and his body was discovered alongside his drone. A GoPro camera was found at the top of the cliffs, containing video footage of the moments before the fall. The drone was too badly damaged to provide further evidence.
The inquest at Exeter Coroner's Court heard that Mr Battye, a shop fitter, had been in good health until contracting Covid-19 in 2020. After suffering from long Covid, he was unable to work and was declared bankrupt, prompting his move from London to Totnes, Devon. His mother described him as a 'warm and sunny person' who remained optimistic despite his symptoms, which included poor memory, exhaustion, and headaches.
Police analysis of the GoPro footage showed Mr Battye walking close to the cliff edge while holding a selfie stick, appearing to look at the camera rather than where he was walking. Area coroner Alison Longhorn concluded that his death was accidental, stating it was 'likely he was working with the drone, he was not watching where he was going and accidentally fell from the cliff'.
Mr Battye's ex-partner and mother of his three children described the loss as immeasurable, saying, 'He loved them deeply.' The coroner expressed her condolences, noting the sudden and unexpected nature of the tragedy.
