RIP: Jimi Heselden OBE

Jimi Heselden OBE, the owner of the UK-based parent company of Segway, Inc., died on Sunday in a tragic accident. He was apparently riding a Segway at his home in West Yorkshire, England, when he fell off a 80 foot cliff to his death. The cause of the accident is not known at this time.

Contrary to some reports, Mr. Heselden did not invent the Segway. (That was Dean Kamen.) Mr. Heselden, 62, was Chairman of Hesco Bastion Ltd, the manufacturer of defensive barriers that are used by U.S. and British troops throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. His company purchased Segway, Inc. in December 2009. Mr. Heselden was an avid Segway user and generous philanthropist, having donated more than $36 million to charitable causes like Help for Heroes. In 2006, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) “for services to the Defence Industry and to Charity.”

The Segway world has lost one of its greatest advocates but Mr. Heselden’s family is expected to carry on his passion and charitable good works. Our condolences go out to his family and many friends.