Segway tycoon Jimi Heselden 'died from multiple gyrobike injuries'

An inquest into the death of Mr Heselden, 62, was opened and adjourned at Leeds Coroner's Court.

Detective Superintendent Paul Taylor, from West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, told Coroner David Hinchliff that Mr Heselden's "lifeless" body was found in the area of Jackdaw Crag, near Boston Spa, Wetherby, on September 26.

Mr Taylor said a paramedic pronounced him dead at the scene and he was later formally identified by his wife, Julie.

Mr Hinchliff told the court a post-mortem examination concluded that Mr Heselden had suffered "multiple blunt force injuries of the chest and spine consistent with a fall whilst riding a gyrobike".

It is understood a Segway scooter was found close to where Mr Heselden fell, which is by the River Wharfe, near his Boston Spa home.

The coroner said the tycoon's body could be released to his family so a funeral could take place.

None of Mr Heselden's relatives were at the five-minute hearing and Mr Hinchliff adjourned the inquest to a date to fixed.

Mr Heselden 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.

Last year he led a British team which bought the US-based Segway company, which makes and distributes the distinctive two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters.

Last week members of his family, many of whom paid an emotional visit to the scene of the accident, described their grief at Mr Heselden's death and said there was "absolutely nothing to suggest it was anything other than a tragic accident".

Mr Heselden was reported to have been worth 166 million but was a well-known philanthropist, giving millions of pounds away to charities associated with his home town of Leeds and the Armed Forces.