A man described as a “modern eccentric” who fell from a bridge over the M62 died by suicide, an inquest has found.

Paul Gordon Robinson, 64, of Manor Street, Cleckheaton, fell from the A649 bridge in Scholes onto the motorway in the early hours of Wednesday, March 6.

The father and keen traveller said in a note left for police to find he had chosen to end his life as he did not want to be wheelchair bound by his crippling back condition.

Ryan Robinson, Mr Robinson’s son, described his father as “happy and joyful”, and said he had been looking forward to getting away in his campervan.

He said: “My last conversation with my dad was on his birthday, when we talked about how he would be celebrating.

“He was in a joyful mood, his happy self, and was positive about getting a new campervan.

“He had a back condition which gave him issues with his walking, but never seemed the type of man who would want to take his own life, or hurt anyone else; he loved life and living it on his terms.

“His death was a week before my birthday, and this was the first year I have not received a card from him.

“It is difficult coming to terms with my father’s death, but the way he did it indicates to me he was at peace with with his decision.”

Statements from friends read out at Bradford Coroners Court said Mr Robinson was a keen birdwatcher and enjoyed fishing, and was an “incredibly supportive friend”.

Caroline Thrower said he had become concerned over an inspection of his house - which was in a poor condition - and thieves breaking into his new campervan, and suggested it had “got to him and pushed him over the edge”.

On the day of his death, witness Barry Jones described seeing his body at the side of the hard shoulder on the westbound carriageway of the M62.

Mr Jones said: “I thought it was unusual as in my job I have seen suicides before and where he had fallen was different to what usually happens.

“He had fallen to the side from the lowest part of the bridge.”

PC David Lyth was on shift that morning and called to attend Mr Robinson’s home.

He said: “The front door was unlocked, and we found a mobile phone with a note on top of it on the sofa.

“It said the progressive deterioration of his spine had accelerated over recent months, and being wheelchair bound was not a prospect which appealed to him.

“He said he was deeply sorry for taking this course of action.”

Assistant Coroner John Broadbridge said it was clear from the “glowing tributes” what kind of man Mr Robinson was.

He said: “Paul Robinson was a modern eccentric, who loved life in his campervan, making new friends.

“This involved a lot of planning and was meticulously set up, and used the words that is was to ‘end his suffering’.

“Police said he had made a ‘conscious effort not to inconvenience or endanger other road users’.

“It is very sad, but I conclude Mr Robinson died by suicide.”