14 DAY TRIAL // Segway owner and one of the most charitable public figures in the UK, James “Jimi” Heselden, passed away after rolling off a cliff on a Segway near his home in Boston Spa, West Yorks.
Confirmation of the sad news comes from a spokesperson from the usually shy businessman, The Sun informs. His family is asking the media to respect their privacy at this moment.
Heselden, a former miner, bought Segway earlier this year. However, it was his charitable endeavors that would get the most media when he was alive.
“It happened while he was going around his property – it’s devastating,” his friend Pal Leon Parish says for the same tabloid. Heselden’s widow is now being comforted by friends at the family home.
“It is understood the 62-year-old – who has donated £23million to charity – was found in the river at about 11.40 am by a passer-by,” The Sun says.
“Kind-hearted Mr. Heselden, who grew up in Halton Moor, one of the most deprived suburbs of Leeds, left school at 15,” the same tabloid says.
He is also the owner of defense equipment firm Hesco Bastion, which took over the independently owned Segway. As noted above, Mr. Heselden was very active with several charity organizations.
Though usually very quiet about his involvement in charity events, Heselden was forced to break his silence a while back, in the hope that other rich people would follow his example and give back.
“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 said at the time.
“There are a lot of families out there who are struggling and a lot of youngsters who have grown up without role models and who can’t get jobs,” Heselden 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,” he said.
A police spokesperson has also confirmed that an accident occurred, claiming the tycoon’s life. As of now, police believe there is nothing suspicious about his death.