Millionaire dies in Segway cliff fall

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 that Mr Heselden had accidently driven off the cliff on his Segway which was found nearby. Officers said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

The businessman made his fortune when his Leeds-based firm Hesco Bastion developed the “blast wall” basket, which protects soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, as a replacement for traditional sandbags.

Today the company confirmed Mr Heselden’s death, which they described as a “tragic accident”.

In a statement 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.

“Jimi Heselden, 62, was chairman of Hesco Bastion Ltd, the world leading manufacturer of protective barriers, and owner of Segway Inc.

“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.”

Mr Heselden struck the deal to buy Segway in December last year.

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.”