Millionaire Segway tycoon dies in cliff plunge on one of his own scooters

Chris Brooke Daily Mail 09/27/2010 17:23

Jimi Heselden, the multi-millionaire owner of the Segway company, died in a freak accident when he rode one of the high-tech two-wheel machines off a cliff

The multi-millionaire owner of the company that makes Segway motorised scooters has died in a freak accident while riding one of his vehicles.

Jimi Heselden, 62, was found dead in a river after plunging 80 feet over a limestone cliff near his home.

He was riding a rugged country version of the two-wheeled Segway when tragedy struck.

The body of the businessman, a former miner who was estimated to be worth £166million, was found in the River Wharfe at 11.40am on Sunday by a passer-by.

Tragedy: The spot where the accident happened

Police are investigating, but it is believed he lost control of the machine as he travelled along a bridleway close to his estate near Boston Spa, West Yorkshire.

The narrow pathway used by walkers is littered with tree roots and is rutted and uneven for most of its length.

The Segway was found in the river near his body, indicating that he was still riding the scooter when he drove over the cliff.

Segways are banned on British roads for safety reasons, but are legal on private land. Mr Heselden had bought the Segway company in a deal last December and planned to further develop the machine.

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