A BUSINESSMAN'S good manners led to his death as he fell 42ft from a clifftop on his Segway, an inquest heard yesterday.

Jimi Heselden, 62, got into trouble as he reversed the scooter on a steep incline for dog walker Sean Christie to get past.

But the tycoon – who owned the European licence for Segways – wobbled then disappeared. Mr Christie found him face down and lifeless in the river below.

Coroner David Hinchliff said yesterday: "I think it's probable – I think typical of Jimi and the type of man he was – he held back and waited as an act of courtesy to allow Mr Christie more room.

"In so doing, he's attempted to reverse the Segway back. As a result of that he's got into difficulty."

Mr Heselden had been taking his dog for a walk near his home by the River Wharfe, Boston Spa, West Yorks, last September.

He was at the top of the sloping footpath on his X2 – a rough terrain version of the Segway.

Mr Christie said he saw the businessman from 40ft to 50ft away as he moved a short distance backwards in a movement he assumed was to make room for him to pass.

Mr Heselden was only a metre and a half from the 42ft drop and tree branches may have contributed to his loss of control, Leeds coroner's court heard.

A postmortem found multiple injuries to his chest and spine. Experts found no fault with the Segway.

West Yorkshire coroner Mr Hinchliff recorded a verdict of accidental death. Mr Heselden – worth an estimated £166million – was a philanthropist and owner of Hesco Bastion, which builds containers to protect troops.

Camp Bastion in Afghanistan is named after his firm.

Former miner Mr Heselden was given an OBE for his services to the defence industry and gave more than £20million to charity.