FORMER Skywest director and shareholder Miles Cattle has reportedly died in a motorcycle accident near his residence in Phuket, Thailand.
The Phuket News reported that Mr Cattle, 63, lost control of his Harley Davidson motorbike on Sunday and died of his injuries on the way to hospital.
Born in Belgium, Mr Cattle moved to Western Australia and worked as a jackaroo before settling down in Esperance and getting involved in business, including news and travel agencies.
In the early 1980s he bought the SkyWest Airlines agency and later acquired 10 per cent of the airline.
Mr Cattle hit the headlines in 2002 during a boardroom stoush over the strategic direction and control of Skywest involving, among others, wine industry players Franklin Tate and Mike Calneggia.
After months of infighting he was ousted as a director due to his support of the then CEO Bill Meeke.
In Phuket, he reportedly lived quietly in a modest home next to the beach at Ao Yon, with his motor yacht moored offshore. He was known for his quiet philanthropy, including donations to the Phuket International Women’s Club.
A fellow bike enthusiast told the Phuket News that Mr Cattle was a “nice and relaxed guy” who was a “slow and controlled bike rider”.
Mr Cattle’s former wife and daughter arrived in Phuket this week. His body will be flown back to Australia where the funeral will be held.