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Segway boss Jimi Heselden dies in scooter cliff fall
The millionaire owner of the UK Segway company has died after apparently riding one of his company's motorised scooters off cliffs and into a river.
Jimi Heselden, 62, crashed into the River Wharfe while riding the vehicle round his estate in Thorp Arch, Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, on Sunday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. The scooter was found in the water.
Mr Heselden, who founded Leeds-based company Hesco Bastion, acquired the Segway operation in 2010.
A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed Mr Heselden's identity.
She said: "Police were called at 1140 yesterday to reports of a man in the River Wharfe, apparently having fallen from the cliffs above."
She said a "Segway type" vehicle had been recovered.
Charity donations Mr Heselden grew up in the Halton Moor area of Leeds, leaving school at 15 and working down local pits.
He worked as a miner before losing his job in a wave of redundancies in the 1980s.
His engineering business went from strength-to-strength and he had a fortune reported to be £166m, making him one of the top 400 richest people on the UK.
The tycoon was well known for his donations to charity, giving more than £20m to good causes.
Earlier this month he donated £10m to the Leeds Community Foundation.
A spokesperson for Hesco Bastion said: "It is with great sadness that we have to confirm that Jimi Heselden OBE, has died in a tragic accident near his home in West Yorkshire."
The spokesperson added: "Jimi is perhaps best known for his charity work with Help for Heroes and the Leeds Community Foundation.
"A £10m gift to the foundation earlier this month saw his lifetime charitable donations top £23m.
"Our thoughts go out to his family and many friends, who have asked for privacy at this time."
The millionaire owner of the UK Segway company has died after apparently riding one of his company's motorised scooters off cliffs and into a river.
Jimi Heselden, 62, crashed into the River Wharfe while riding the vehicle round his estate in Thorp Arch, Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, on Sunday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. The scooter was found in the water.
Mr Heselden, who founded Leeds-based company Hesco Bastion, acquired the Segway operation in 2010.
A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed Mr Heselden's identity.
She said: "Police were called at 1140 yesterday to reports of a man in the River Wharfe, apparently having fallen from the cliffs above."
She said a "Segway type" vehicle had been recovered.
Charity donations Mr Heselden grew up in the Halton Moor area of Leeds, leaving school at 15 and working down local pits.
He worked as a miner before losing his job in a wave of redundancies in the 1980s.
His engineering business went from strength-to-strength and he had a fortune reported to be £166m, making him one of the top 400 richest people on the UK.
The tycoon was well known for his donations to charity, giving more than £20m to good causes.
Earlier this month he donated £10m to the Leeds Community Foundation.
A spokesperson for Hesco Bastion said: "It is with great sadness that we have to confirm that Jimi Heselden OBE, has died in a tragic accident near his home in West Yorkshire."
The spokesperson added: "Jimi is perhaps best known for his charity work with Help for Heroes and the Leeds Community Foundation.
"A £10m gift to the foundation earlier this month saw his lifetime charitable donations top £23m.
"Our thoughts go out to his family and many friends, who have asked for privacy at this time."
Worst. Publicity, Ever.
This post has been edited by Aptorian: 27 September 2010 - 04:49 PM
