ACCIDENTAL death was the verdict at the inquest of a millionaire Portland businessman who died in a helicopter crash.

But the parents of the pilot involved still believe there was a possibility of foul play.

A jury at Bournemouth Town Hall unanimously agreed the crash that killed oil company boss Stephen Curtis, 45, was the result of Max Radford becoming 'disorientated' in cloud and rain.

Both men were killed instantly when their Augusta 109 plunged into a field just a mile from Bournemouth Airport at 7.30pm on March 3 last year.

Sheriff Payne, coroner for Poole, Bournemouth and East Dorset, yesterday told the jury evidence to support claims the helicopter was sabotaged were 'thin' and rested on the testimony of just one witness.

Earlier, Mr Curtis's uncle Eric Jenkins had said his nephew told him he would be killed just two weeks before the crash and had received threatening phone calls.

But Mr Payne said: "The Air Accident Investigation Branch, with all its knowledge and experience, do not think it was sabotage.

"The indication has been that Mr Radford was dealing with a problem... You could imagine that problem was created by the rain, maybe in low cloud and he felt he was disorientated.

"They say it was not a problem created in the faculty of the helicopter or by any missile.

"If some device had been used does it not seem strange that it was not used until the end of a round trip journey? It took off from Bournemouth, landed at Battersea and it was nearly back in Bournemouth before anything untoward happened.

"It was leaving it a bit late for a timed or remote device to be used."

He added that it also appeared strange that any device was detonated as the helicopter moved into bad weather.

But despite the verdict the parents of Mr Radford, 34, of Bournemouth, still believe it was possible their son was murdered because of his association with Mr Curtis. Reading a statement on behalf of Dennis and Gloria Radford, solicitor Richard Bennett said: "It is no secret that Mr and Mrs Radford were looking for an open verdict.

"This hearing was not, however, about winning or losing but about establishing the truth.

"At any inquest, by definition, what is most important to the interested parties has already been lost - in this case the lives of Max Radford and Stephen Curtis."

He added: "The evidence given by the Air Accident Investigation Branch was that Max was an extremely experienced pilot.

"There's been much spoken in the media about the background of Mr Curtis and in particular the threat allegations made against him prior to the crash.

"Evidence has been given to the enquiry which corroborates a number of the matters."

Five friends and family of Mr Curtis were present, although they did not wish to comment following the hearing.

His sister Kimberley Thomas broke down in tears and was comforted by a female companion as the verdict was read.