Currently reading: Segway boss dies riding Segway
The boss of the Segway two-wheeler has been killed in an accident while riding a Segway

The boss of Segway has died after a freak accident that saw him ride one of his machines off a cliff.

Jimi Heselden was riding a more rugged country version of the electric two-wheeler around his North Yorkshire estate yesterday when he lost control, falling over a cliff and into the River Wharfe below.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said today: "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."

Heselden acquired Segway last year made his money from defence contracts and was worth £166 million, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

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Dan McNeil v2 29 September 2010

Re: Segway boss dies riding Segway

MrTrilby wrote:
I appreciate a great number of the posts you make,
Likewise.
MrTrilby wrote:
but right now, you sound to me like a spoilt child whining about why he's special and shouldn't have to show consideration for the feelings of others.

Mr Trilby - if you read this thread fully, you'll note that some people made what I personally would consider as lighthearted and amusing comments. Others take a different view, as can be seen. And, at no point have I said that I shouldn't have to show consideration for the feelings of others. I merely implied that expecting me to show 'respect' for dead people who I don't know is, in my opinion, utterly ludicrous. Semantics...

The issue as I see it is that these who take the view that the amusing comment are disrespectful etc. feel that the people making amusing comments are somehow morally inferior, should cease forthwith, and follow their particular line (for example, The Special One's comments above).

I actually hold no strong views either way on Mr Segway (as I think my posts make pretty clear). What I do have an issue with is people suggesting that their ethics and morals are the ones that are correct, and that these who don't hold these ethical and moral views really ought to comply. My earlier post was a perfectly reasonably and well-argued counterpoint (to the simplistic and frankly provincial view of some on this thread) that ethics and morals are not 'fixed', and that there are many cultures around that would hold a very different view on issues of life, death and the celebration of both.

Far from whining, I can assure you I'm extremely clear-headed and utterly objective on this. And that does seem to be a problem for some people: when they can't respond to an intelligent and well-argued point, they resort to inane name-calling.

MrTrilby 29 September 2010

Re: Segway boss dies riding Segway

Dan McNeil v2 wrote:
You're imposing your ethics, morals and cultural/behavioural standards on me and others

Dan, get over yourself. That happens all the time and it's a part of living in a civilised society with people other than just yourself. You don't fill your posts with swear words. Why? Because others have imposed their ethics, morals and cultural/behavioural standards on you.

I appreciate a great number of the posts you make, but right now, you sound to me like a spoilt child whining about why he's special and shouldn't have to show consideration for the feelings of others.

Lesia44 29 September 2010

Re: Segway boss dies riding Segway

Dan McNeil v2 wrote:
The Special One wrote:
Dan McNeil v2 wrote:
It seems a bit ridiculous professing 'respect' for somebody you don't know. A bit pious too. In fact, it's rather creepy.
No, Dan. It's called having common decency. If the deceased had done something against you, then I can understand a person's disrespect, but the fact that many of us don't know him means we should have a certain level of respect.

No, it doesn't.

You're imposing your ethics, morals and cultural/behavioural standards on me and others, and expecting compliance. A common error. Ethics and morals are mutable, and vary between different cultural groups and belief systems.

For example, some cultures dance at funerals. Some cultures hold animals to be godlike. Other cultures eat them.

I bet everyone of these po-faced miseries would laugh at the Darwin Awards...