A British businessman whose company builds and markets the Segway upright scooter died when he accidentally 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, which protect 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."
Mr Heselden was as well-known for his charity giving as he was for his fortune.The tycoon, who lived on an estate in the countryside to the north-east of Leeds, had a fortune reported to be £166 million, making him one of the top 400 richest people in the UK.
He had humble beginnings in the Halton Moor area of Leeds, leaving school at 15 and working down the local pits. Years later he brought hundreds of jobs to the city with the revolutionary protection baskets made by his firm Hesco Bastion Ltd since 1990.
The "concertainer" units have been used to protect soldiers in every major conflict since the first Gulf war and is seen as one of the UK's most successful defence exports. They are also used for a range of non-military functions including flood management and erosion control.
Mr Heselden struck the deal to buy Segway in December last year. The firm was started by inventor Dean Kamen in 1999 after he developed the electric vehicle.
Mr Heselden is reported to have given more than £20 million to charity, especially those connected to tackling deprivation in his home city.
Earlier this year he told the Yorkshire Post: "There are people out there who are making money and when times are good I honestly believe people have a moral obligation to use their wealth to help others."
He added: "Life turned out pretty well for me, but I still work in the same area where I grew up and every day I see people who for whatever reason are down on their luck."
PA