Scooter tycoon died from 30ft fall as US doctor appeals for riders to use helmets

Andrew Robinson

A MILLIONAIRE businessman who died while apparently riding a two-wheeled electric Segway scooter built by his own company died as “a result of a fall”, police said yesterday.

Jimi Heselden, 62, was found in the River Wharfe at Boston Spa, near Wetherby, on Sunday morning after accidentally plunging from a 30ft cliff. His Segway was found nearby.

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Police investigating the incident for the coroner appealed for anyone who saw Mr Heselden on Sunday to come forward. “He is thought to have been using a black and silver Segway-type vehicle on an elevated path that runs alongside the River Wharfe and was travelling in the direction of Leys Lane from Boston Spa between 11am and 11.30am.”

A spokesman said a post-mortem which took place on Monday determined Mr Heselden “died from injuries consistent with a fall”.

Mr Heselden, a former miner, made his fortune when his Leeds-based firm Hesco Bastion developed the “blast wall” basket, which protect soldiers, as a replacement for traditional sandbags. Last year he led a British team which bought the US-based Segway firm, which makes and distributes the distinctive two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters.

It was revealed yesterday that accidents involving Segway scooters are “significant and on the rise”, according to American research.

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Dr Mary Pat McKay studied the injuries sustained by people involved in Segway accidents who were treated in the emergency department of George Washington Hospital, Washington DC, where she works.

She concluded Segway users should wear helmets. “The Segway may seem cool, but there’s nothing cool about a head injury.

“One-quarter of the patients who came to our emergency department with Segway injuries were admitted. Forty per cent of the admitted patients were admitted to the ICU (intensive care unit) because they had traumatic brain injuries.”

Dr McKay examined the cases of 44 patients who went to the emergency department with injuries sustained while riding the Segway.

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She found only seven per cent had worn helmets, which are not required by law for Segway riders in Washington.

Dr McKay said: “All of the injuries were sustained by riders simply falling off, mostly from striking an inanimate object.

“Segways are pretty new to the marketplace and it’s often only as products become popular that the risks involved become apparent.

“We urge the Consumer Product Safety Commission to assign the Segway a unique product code and collect data on injuries sustained from riding the Segway so we can develop a clearer idea of the scope of the problem.

“In the meantime, all Segway riders should wear helmets and pay close attention to what is in front of and around them when riding.”

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