In January, Segway Inc. announced that it had been acquired by a UK-based company backed by Jimi Heselden, an investor in the company. Now Heselden has passed away, in rather ironic fashion. 

On Sunday, the man fell to his death into the River Wharfe, falling from a cliff while riding a Segway. The Telegraph quotes a Police spokesperson as saying:

"Police were called at 11.40am yesterday to reports of a man in the River Wharfe, apparently having fallen from the cliffs above."

"A Segway-style vehicle was recovered. He was pronounced dead at the scene."

"At this time we do not believe the death to be suspicious."

The company is displaying the following message on its site:

It is with great sadness that we have to confirm that Jimi Heselden OBE, has died in a tragic accident near his home in West Yorkshire. Jimi Heselden, 62, was Chairman of Hesco Bastion Ltd, the world leading manufacturer of protective barriers and owner of Segway Inc. Jimi is perhaps best known for his charity work with Help for Heroes and the Leeds Community Foundation. A £10m gift to the Foundation earlier this month saw his lifetime charitable donations top £23m. Our thoughts go out to his family and many friends, who have asked for privacy at this time.

WebProNews extends its condolences to Heselden’s friends and family. 

For more on Heselden, and to contribute your thoughts about him, go here.