Segway millionaire dies in scooter cliff plunge

The owner of Segway, who make motorised scooters has plunged to his death in a freak accident while driving one of his own scooters.

Jimi Heselden, 62, was found dead in a river after falling 80 feet over a limestone cliff near to his home. He was riding a rugged country version of his two wheeled Segway scotter when it happened.

Heselden was worth £166 million and police are investigating as to how he seemed to have lost control of the scooter near Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. His Segway was found in the river near his body which indicates he was still riding the scooter when he drove off the cliff. The scooters are banned on British roads for safety reasons but are legal to drive on private land.

Mr Heselden had bought the Segway company last December and had plans to develop the machine more. He leaves a wife and four childen. A family spokesperson said “Our family has been left devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of a much-loved father and husband.’

Heselden was well known for donating huge sums of money to various charities and last week he donated £10 million to the Leeds Community Foundation which he set up, bringing the total to £23 million. This money has went into funds to help disadvantaged youngsters and vunerable elderly people.

This year he said: ‘I honestly believe people have a moral obligation to use their wealth to help others.’

KitGuru says: A sad loss for a man who gave much back to the community in the UK.

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