A millionaire businessman whose company builds and markets the Segway upright scooter died when he apparently rode one of his machines over a cliff and into a river, it was disclosed today.
West Yorkshire Police said Jimi Heselden, 62, was found in the River Wharfe, at Boston Spa, near Wetherby, yesterday morning, and died at the scene.
It appeared Mr Heselden had driven over a cliff into the river.
It is understood a Segway was found nearby.
Mr Heselden made his fortune when his Leeds-based firm Hesco Bastion developed the ‘blast wall’ basket, a device which protects soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, as a replacement for traditional sandbags.
Last year he led a British team which bought the United States-based Segway firm, which makes and distributes the distinctive two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters.
Today a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘Police have named James William Heselden as the 62-year-old local man who was pronounced dead yesterday after being pulled from the River Wharfe near to Leys Lane at Boston Spa.
‘Officers were called to the incident around 11.40am following a call from a member of the public.
‘Mr Heselden, who is from Thorp Arch, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
‘The incident is not believed to be suspicious and the coroner has been informed.’
