LONDON (AP) — A wealthy British businessman who owns the company that makes the two-wheeled Segway has been found dead in a river in northern England after apparently falling off a cliff on one of the vehicles, police said Monday.
The body of 62-year-old James Heselden and a Segway personal transporter were found in the River Wharfe and he was prounced dead at the scene, West Yorkshire Police said.
Police said a witness had reported seeing a man fall Sunday over a 30-foot (9-meter) drop into the river near Boston Spa, 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of London.
“The incident is not believed to be suspicious,” police said, indicating that they do not believe anyone else was involved.
Heselden, who bought control of the New Hampshire-based Segway company in December, made his fortune through his firm Hesco Bastion Ltd., which developed a system to replace sand bags to protect troops.
Hesco Bastion is based in Leeds, near the tough Halton Moor area where Heselden grew up. He left school at 15 and first worked as a coal miner before becoming a businessman and philanthropist. Hesco Bastion said Heselden recently gave 10 million pounds ($15.9 million) to the Leeds Community Foundation, raising his total charitable giving to 23 million pounds.
“Jimi was an amazing man who, apart from being a wonderful success story for Leeds due to his business acumen, was also remarkably selfless and generous, giving millions to local charities to help people in his home city,” said Tom Riordan, the chief executive of Leeds City Council.
The battery-powered Segway, which is stabilized by gyroscopes, was invented by Dean Kamen, who founded the company in 1999.
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Comments (95)
danlb0y
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 4:43pmWow….Freelancer needs to change his underwear and get out of mom’s basement.
Report Post »cbs71
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 4:15pmPoor guy.
Report Post »Charly
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 4:11pmBeing the mother of a Marine, all I can say is this man is a hero for developing those hescoes that protect our troops. Seems like a simple concept but he’s the one that brought it to fruition. God bless him.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:57pmThanks, Devil. You may be right. I’ll give it a try.
Report Post »DarkerThanBlack
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:46pmIronic.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:31pmDevil: It’s just a hobby. I also fly airplanes upside down at 200 knots, 6 feet off the ground, for fun, and I agree with you, these seqways are dangerous.
Report Post »Freelancer, we actually agree on some things. Fencing with you has been fun and challenging. Threats aren’t necessary. And I haven‘t advertised my CC permit because you don’t know who I am. Nor would I use it in anger. As a pilot, I am obligated to carry. Two of my friends were murdered. You could offer a little leeway for that. My thoughts are with the family of this man, not with you, but whatever.
Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:37pmIf you are a pilot as you claim, is there not some law about pilots not being allowed to take psychotropic medication? Or is that just for commercial pilots? Because if you go back and read your comments in total, you are making absolutely NO sense and need to take some even if that means forfeiting your license. WOW!
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:51pmFreelancer:
Report Post »I was just baiting you. You have so many of my hooks in your mouth, we can’t tell you apart from your own illegitimate teenage daughter. And you should look up FAA law before you start spewing about it. By the way, your last comment legitimizes everything I’ve said here today.
Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:55pmNephew: Well, no wonder you have such a lousy ‘tude– YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO FLY AIRPLANES RIGHT-SIDE UP!! Try it the other way for a while, and call me in the morning.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 5:49pmSure Neice…. You are such the expert at baiting. I bow to your tactical genius – NOT
You have managed to bite on everything I have thrown right back at you. Keep on thinking that you have me over the proverbial barrel. This is nothing more than mental Jujitsu for me and I quite enjoy it.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 5:50pm** Niece **
Report Post »nsertell
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:09pmThose thing are dangerous. About four years ago I had the chance to try a segway. Some thing happened, I don’t know what, I landed on my head, and spent several days in intensive care.
Report Post »I’ve driven race cars. They don’t scare me near as much as a segway..
Rowgue
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:59pmMy sympathy goes out to his loved ones. But honestly what kind of an idiot would be riding a segway that close to a cliff?
While a death is always a sad affair, my more cynical side thinks this would fit into the category of Darwinism.
Report Post »Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:10pmnephew! nephew! LOOK!! Another VILE poster!!! Go get ‘em, tiger!
Report Post »smokie
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:27pmI wondered the same thing, but hey, he died doing something he probably loved. How many of us bike along scenic routes. It was probably beautiful scenery, and why walk when you can ride?
Report Post »We all have friends that died in motorcycle crashes, and what’s the first thing everyone says?
“He died doing what he loved.” That old guy probably loved his Segway, about probably had been up and down those cliffs on it several times.
We’ve all seen Segway pratfalls on YouTube. One rock in the way, even a small animal darting out, can cause a splat.
JJ Coolay
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 7:33amLMAO, Devil
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:53pmI couldn’t care less what anyone thinks of me. It is enjoyable to do battle with you trolls, but I would have preferred to do it on any other thread. Iwish-Amerika, I don‘t think you’re vile. In fact, most of the original comments aren’t. For the record, I think there is an enormous irony here, however tragic. I think these things are dangerous. I’ve said my piece. You can keep insulting me if you feel a need for it. I wear it is a badge of honor, as usual.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:00pmSir, I doff my hat to you, you played your part quite well. While not a troll myself, I c wat u did ther.
The title of this video is for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bMLrA_0O5I&feature=related
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:07pmFor a troll that could not care less what people think about it, you sure reply to a lot of the comments about you. Just a thought….
Report Post »IWISHFORABETTERAMERIKA
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:42pmI know I’m vile (thank you Nephew) but when I first heard about this earlier today, I have to admit I thought it was a joke and I stood there waiting for the punchline. Then I learned it was true and I thought it was awfully ironic and it did actually make one corner of my mouth turn up in a half smile. Does that mean I’ll burn in Hell for only half of eternity?
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:53pmEven if it does, we’ll have some good entertainment. If finding funny things in tragedy is all it takes, all the comedians that ever lived will be down their performing last call sets for all time. I’ve already got dibs on Carlin.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:08pmEach of you trolls now has my hook permanently implanted in your mouth. It’s unbelievable how predictable and manipulatable all of you are. Just keep posting your vile, nefarious tripe. Every time you talk, it shows your weakness, and unites good people against you.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:16pmYou may have to good people on your side, but that just means I have Dr. Horrible and the Evil League of Evil on my side. And that’s just LEGENDARY!
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:21pmInfamous, not legendary, morry.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:24pmAre we reading the same thread here? I see…. ummm…. exactly NO comments on your side. But you did make me laugh. Troll? Really? Please give me your definition of a “troll.”
Report Post »Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:31pmnephew, I just love it when you talk like that. Can I be an infamous nefarious troll like thee?
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:31pmFreelancer, it doesn’t surprise me a bit that a website owned by Glenn Beck would attract trolls from every corner of earth.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:42pmBWAHAHAHA!!! I figured as much. Too quiet over at Huff and Puff or Media Matters these days?
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 7:35amTrolls? Nephew what trolls are you talking about?
Report Post »mrdbcooper
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:54pmshame on me:
Report Post »“…The former miner who left school at age 15 had been giving back to the community through charitable donations in the last several years.”
nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:25pmMy God, you people are vile. I’m ashamed to be a member of the same species.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:32pmThere is an app for that….
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:46pmFreelancer:
Report Post »You got that right. There certainly is an app for that.
Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:48pmThere’s nothing stopping you from becoming a member of a different species. You’re already more than halfway there anyway. OH, that was really mean. Sorry. NOT.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:55pmHey Nephew…. If you are going to go so far as to make a threat, pack a lunch and your will. I’m up for what ever it is you have to bring chump.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:22pmFreelancer:
Report Post »I didn’t bring it up, chump. You did. Or is your tiny mind incapable of short term memory?
Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:32pmNot quite my tiny friend…. I made a simple statement but you are the one who made the thinly veiled threat. Like I said, bring it on. You are a small person hiding behind a moniker and a keyboard who would dump in your pants when confronted with reality after making threats.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:42pmFreelancer, your threat isn’t thinly veiled at all. You just indicated that you would attempt to do me harm because we disagree. Were that to come to pass, remember we live in a country with a 2nd amendment, and self preservation is an absolute defense. I do carry a .45. If I’m attacked by a troll like you, I would absolutely use it in self defense.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:47pmI’m shaking in my boots…. Please READ the comment before you try and make an uneducated reply. I asked YOU to bring it on…. I NEVER threatened to come after you nor did I imply that I was going to. I INVITED you to try. Big difference there tiny.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:03pmAs one that fully appreciates the Second Amendment, it’s meaning and the awesome responsibility it places in the hands of every citizen, I have found that every person who also understands NEVER advertises that they carry, NEVER makes threats concerning using a firearm in ANY manner and is usually subdued until they are FORCED to display said firearm. People such as yourself are the reason that the gun grabbers want to take them away from everyone.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 7:32amWHAT THE???? We’re now talking about .45s???? LOL
Report Post »Nephew… are you kiddin me? Is Freelancer going to track you down, come to your house and use physical violence on you in a way where you’re justified in pulling out your pistola?
Get real man, this is a message board.
temple62
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:22pmWhere is Ralph Nader when you need him, these are unsafe at any speed, today’s Corvair.
Report Post »jum0ra
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:19pmSounds fishy to me …. people will do anything to inherit millions.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:08pmI’ll say it again for those of you in Rio Linda: Laughing at the death of a good man is vile. I think you know which side of that line you fall on.
Report Post »Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:18pmNephew– are you that thick, or are you just trying to stir things up for your own amusement?
Report Post »tjdavid21444
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:21pm@nephew, I will say it again, for you and those who live in the same town as you (and yes, I get that it’s a Rush Limbaugh reference), no one is laughing at the fact that the man died. As a matter of fact, I don’t think any is laughing at all. What has been stated is that it was incredibly ironic that he died while riding the product of the company he just bought. Kind of like it would be ironic if Obama met his fate when his Secret Service GMC SUV rolled over. Not funny. Ironic. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:23pmYou’re right, how did I never see it before? There’s just no way to have a dark sense of humour AND be a good person in life. I just wish there was a way to control my gut reactions.
Since I can’t though it seems my only option is a lobotomy. I know, I know, they’re sooo outdated, but if you look at the “15 year retro cycle” I think you’l agree, I’ll be on the leading edge of them being hip again. Or should I skip ahead of the curve and go for electro-shock?
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:24pmUmmm… Stop being a turd dude. I know it can be rather difficult at times but it can be done. NO ONE is finding his DEATH funny at all. People tend to try and look for any reason to laugh. By simply making a comment about the method of death in no way comes across as making LIGHT of that death. As most are trying to point out and you quite clearly do NOT understand is that this is a common enough reaction. Is it the absolute correct reaction? No it is not. But the humanoid brain seeks to find any reason it can to deflect unpleasant thoughts. If this truly offends you as you would like us all to think, you do have some serious issues. Can you honestly claim that you have NEVER made an off color comment regarding the death of ANYONE? If you make that claim, you are full of crap. The same goes with the conclusion of a study done on masturbation…. 95% of people surveyed admitted to doing it while the other 5% lied about it.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:34pmApparently, most of you can find any reason to justify your own inherent vileness. Stop defending your prurience. And the masturbation reference is very telling, freelancer.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:40pm@Freelancer
Report Post »Don’t forget the margin of error of + or – Chritine O’Donnell
Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:53pmAhh yes… We are vile. Have any other words in your arsenal of insults there sport? That one is getting a bit stale.
Report Post »Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:58pmmoriarty70– I think the electro-shock therapy is an excellent choice. It worked just fine for Nicholson.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:09pmSee I like that, but I’ve got curly hair that grows out, not down. So my fear is after a few treatments I’d look like Doc Brown from Back to the Future with hair dye.
Report Post »Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:22pmmoriarty70– I see your point. How about bleaching it out afterward? Why not just bleach it instead?– if you’ll look like Doc Brown, you could easily pass for already having the therapy.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:29pmFreelancer is tired of my use of the word “vile.” So, here are some new words: Corrupted, debased, debauched, depraved, perverted, coarse, gross, obscene, vulgar, disgusting, foul, nasty, abhorrent, contemptible, loathsome, offensive, repulsive and revolting.
Report Post »Pick one you like.
Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:36pmnephew has his Thesaurus out!!
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:37pmNewbies are such a pain in the ass…. They stroll in and make themselves at home acting like they should be running the comment section. Most of us have been here since the inception of this site and YOU are late to the party nimrod.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:42pm@Devil Love the way you think. It’s threads like this that remind everyone that while we may not all agree politically, there’s still room to laugh and joke together.
@Nephew
Report Post »Here’s my take on your list of words: Need it, got it, got it, got it, proud of it, got it, got it, got it, got it, got it, need it, need it, need it, need it, need, it got it, got it, got it.
Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:22pm@moriarty70
Yep. If we can all have a laugh or two, it helps us be able to swallow life’s little turds.
Now for a moment of silence for our dearly departed friend, Mr. James Heselden. May you Segway your way right to heaven. Amen.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on September 28, 2010 at 7:14amLMAO… this is one funny thread.
Nephew… gotta unwind your britches a bit, ease up a little my man. Besides, you could very well be construed as being every bit the ‘vileness’ you’re saying other people are. Your comments have been pretty nasty… starting with the ******* on of others’ graves.
Report Post »stephenb.net
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 11:03amRio Linda? Have you ever been to Rio Linda or are you just a Limbot that parrots what you are told? How terribly insensitive to the people in Rio Linda California that you would make such hateful comments. Are you an elitest? OHHH The shame THE SHAME!!!!….Oh and shut up.
Report Post »ohiovalleywizard
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:01pmthis man had no concept of product placement. lets see how good the public relations dept. is?
Report Post »just happy
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:01pmexactly! my best friends father died: These kids adored this great man but humor about skid marks in his underwear and how to conceal that from the undertaker is a wonderful belly laugh inducing family memory for all those kids 20+years later.
Report Post »912Cindy
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:23pmIt is a tragedy. This man spent much of his life using his resources to help mankind. You should really look into your heart and see what is in there if you find humor in this man’s death.
Report Post »Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:45pmI think you’re missing the point.
His death is not numerous at all, and in fact, IS a tragedy. I don’t believe anyone whose thoughts pass briefly in the lighter direction are inferring any less respect and sorrow which his memory rightly deserves.
Humor is nothing more than a mental safety valve and is of no real significance regarding this person’s accomplishments, nor is it meant to be.
Report Post »tjdavid21444
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:18pmPeople, I think the point has been made repeatedly, but apparently overlooked or deliberately ignored. Nobody is saying that the man’s death is humorous. It is a tragedy for all, including those who benefitted from his philanthropy. That being said, most of what I have read on here expressed that it was the manner of death that was ironic. Not humorous, ironic. There is a difference. If Thomas Edison had died by getting electrocuted while changing a lightbulb, I think we could all agree, ironic. And also tragic. Nuff said?
Report Post »stephenb.net
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 6:35pmOh My Gosh! What is wrong with you people? A tragedy is when I stub my toe heading to the bathroom at 2am, comedy is when the guy who owns the company selling the machine that is advertised as “easy to balance on and safe” goes careening off a cliff on one! That’s funny.
I didn’t know the guy. I‘m sorry that he’s dead. I hope the family recovers from their grief but I will not pass up laughing at life‘s irony’s because a few soft heads want to embrace the sadness of life because they think it makes them a good person.
Reminds me of a local message board here in CA where some woman found a dead cat and said “this was probably someones pet. Isn’t that the saddest thing?” NO! It’s a dead frickin cat! The saddest thing would have been if the car that ran it over would have swerved to keep from hitting it and instead plowed into a group of developmentally disabled kids on their way to an outing at Cold Stone. That would be sad.
Wow, it‘s only Monday and I’m already ranting at the soft heads. Friday ought to be a scream.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:20pmmaybe he was testing a new flying segway model.
Report Post »Devil in Arkansas
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:14pmObviously Mr. Heselden was a great man, whose contributions were of great benefit to society. His passing is a loss that will be felt by many. I do not take myself so seriously that I can’t see a bit of irony in the circumstances of his demise, which in no way should tarnish his good name or memory.
Report Post »SGTTAZ67
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:23pmI’m probably gonna burn in hell, but we were just talikng with my boss on friday. He lives 4 mi from work and was talking about buying a Segway. When I saw the story, I laughed. I was wrong, and I’m praying for his family. BUT, my boss decided he doesn’t want a Segway.
Report Post »mrdbcooper
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:29pmthanks and God please forgive me…i thought i was the only sick b@st@rd on the site
Report Post »SGTMAC
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:52amWow Nephew, angry much?
Having said that. This guy was a good man and his little part of the world will miss him. Pray for his family.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:01pmPerhaps, lately. It just gets me real upset that our society can be so callous. This was a good man, with a family, perhaps a dog, who will all miss him terribly. I can’t believe the level of vileness some people have descended to. Seeing it as “funny” is an unmitigated prurience that will lead to very bad things.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:11pmNephew, better be careful, that kind of language could be construed as a threat.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:18pmThere is a fine line between being serious and balls to the wall overly critical Nephew…. I think you know which side of the line you fall on.
Report Post »just happy
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:56pmInvoking the Spirit of 8/28 both 1963 and 2010. Thanks
Report Post »veritas51322
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:13amPrayers for the family…
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:13amIt’s stories like this that remind me what a horrible person I can be at times. While the death of someone is no laughing matter, sometimes the means of that death is kinda funny.
nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:33amThat‘s a thought you should’ve kept to yourself. It shows me the same thing. I would never have seen it as funny, ever. I can’t believe what humanity is capable of. Thanks for the heads-up, scumbag.
Report Post »nephewofdboone
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:39amSame goes to you, freelancer, you scumbag. When it happens to you, I won’t laugh, I’ll just piss on your grave.
Freelancer
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:50amBy the way, if I happened to be a liberal, I might like the “golden shower” sendoff upon my death.
moriarty70
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:58amIn my defense I hold myself to the same standard. When I go, I want it to be in a manner that has my friends and family laughing at the funeral.
And as I said, the actual death of another human being isn’t funny, it’s the irony of the method that has a humours nature to it.
I’ve always said, You don’t survive life by taking it too seriously.
Report Post »roninshaman
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 1:05pm@NEPHEWOFBOONE
I thought this post showed some introspection on the parts of MORIARTY70 and FREELANCER. I can’t see any positive light about your “piss on your grave” comment.
Civilization is based on civility. Try to remember that.
Report Post »Scootin_Fool
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 2:21pmI appreciate your honesty.
The irony got me as well, and I think Segways are neat little buggies, but still, the irony is there, and while death is always unfortunate and my heart goes out to the family and friends of the deceased, you’d have to be completely brainless not to get the irony and have a guilty chuckle or two.
We’re only human.
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:01pmThere is nothing wrong with people that wanted to joke. Even jokes on a public forum should be seen as a coping mechanism. It is a natural way to cope with the reminders of our mortality. Who here thinks everyone should be serious and sad at their funeral. I don’t want my family to waste to seconds rolling around felling sorry for them selves after I pass. Yes it is understandable some people get depressed when a loved one dies but they need to realize that this comes from a personal selfishness. Do people really think their loved ones want them to sit around feeling sorry for themselves? When I die life goes on. When You die its all over. <- I know its backwards. And yes feel free to piss on my grave all day long.
Report Post »Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 3:03pmFreelancer- I am glad there is someone out there who won’t let Kevin Jennings and his fisting class for 14 year olds die.
Report Post »Planned Parenthood and the homosexual agenda make me so mad….. I had to keep my kidz out of “pubic” schools
Thank you
independentvoteril
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 4:14pmOK now I don’t feel bad.. He sounds like a WONDERFUL person.. a treasure to mankind.. and I feel bad for his family and my prayers are with them he was a young .. but come on now.. falling off a cliff while riding a segway it’s unusual to say the least.. Guess it’s his way of wanting to be remembered for an unusual and a humorous end to his life.. Most likely he’s laughing himself..
Report Post »wodiej
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 11:04amThat is really unfortunate because Heseldon is one of those wealthy people that believes the bible when it says “to whom much is given, much is required.” This is what charity used to be without welfare and all the freebies. People helped each other.
Report Post »just happy
Posted on September 27, 2010 at 12:50pmand BTW , and certainly no disrespect to Heselden if you check the record MANY if not most wealthy people do the same. Also many of us poor people do the same. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Report Post »