A successful young engineer whose mum warned him about his couch potato' lifestyle died after suffering a massive heart attack on a long-haul flight.

Neil Haver was a rising star who had travelled the world as an industrial safety expert when he died on the flight home from Hong Kong. Medical experts on the 13-hour London-bound flight had rushed to his aid when he fell ill but could not save him.

His distraught mother, Laura Benson, said she pleaded with her son, 34, about the risks of his lifestyle which included heavy meals, smoking and virtually no exercise on top of a demanding workload. "I have heart disease, which can be hereditary and I had a big heart attack at 41," she said.

"Because of that and his lifestyle I wanted to get a message across. I wanted him to curb his excesses but he said mum, that's who I am. If I didn't live like this I wouldn't be myself'. He didn't want to hear.

"I suppose he was a couch potato and he smoked, which I pleaded with him over, but you can't live your children's lives for them. You just bring them up the best you can."

Neil, who had lived in Frizinghall, had already suffered the loss of his father, Peter, to cancer at the age of 37. Two young brothers had died before Neil was born.

Mrs Benson said she had fond memories of her music fan son, who had a degree in mechanical engineering and design, and was proud of his success in a job that had taken him to Japan, Mexico and Italy.

"He loved his job and his lifestyle all the meeting new people and experiencing new cultures and cuisine," she said. "Work was a big part of his life and he could be away at any time. In fact, he even spent the days between Christmas and New Year in Kuala Lumpur."

Mrs Benson said Neil was very close to the family. She said: "He's been really a good brother to Lee and Jill, his sister.

"He was a big man with a big heart. He was just a really thoughtful person. He would do things for his family even it was inconvenient to him. We loved him dearly. His loss will leave a really big void in the family."

She added: "To say I was proud of him is not nearly enough."

He also leaves Ann, his girlfriend of five years whom he lived with in Slough, Berkshire. Neil died on April 27. The funeral service will be at Rawdon Crematorium on Monday at 1.40pm.

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk