The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: sledgemeister on October 04, 2010, 12:23:21 PM
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Not sure if this really qualifies for a Darwin but definately in the running for the most ironic.
http://twitoaster.com/country-us/ebertchicago/segway-inventor-jimi-heselden-dies-in-segway-accident/
Millionaire Segway tycoon dies in cliff plunge on one of his own scooters
The multi-millionaire owner of the company that makes Segway motorised scooters has died in a freak accident while riding one of his vehicles.
Jimi Heselden, 62, was found dead in a river after plunging 80 feet over a limestone cliff near his home.
He was riding a rugged country version of the two-wheeled Segway when tragedy struck.
Jimi Heselden, the multi-millionaire owner of the Segway company, died in a freak accident when he rode one of the high-tech two-wheel machines off a cliff
The body of the businessman, a former miner who was estimated to be worth £166million, was found in the River Wharfe at 11.40am on Sunday by a passer-by.
Police are investigating, but it is believed he lost control of the machine as he travelled along a bridleway close to his estate near Boston Spa, West Yorkshire.
The narrow pathway used by walkers is littered with tree roots and is rutted and uneven for most of its length.
The Segway was found in the river near his body, indicating that he was still riding the scooter when he drove over the cliff.
Segways are banned on British roads for safety reasons, but are legal on private land. Mr Heselden had bought the Segway company in a deal last December and planned to further develop the machine.
Read rest of story at link....
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/09/28/article-1315518-0B60D492000005DC-924_468x417.jpg)
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And had he saved himself a few K and just, y'know, walked.....? Well, they do say walking is good for your health. ;D
FQ13
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Would this be a case of death imitating life?
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And had he saved himself a few K and just, y'know, walked.....? Well, they do say walking is good for your health. ;D
FQ13
Dude, HE BOUGHT the company.
I think walking would have saved him considerably more than "a few K".
Would this be a case of death imitating life?
No, it's a case of "man imitating boat anchor".
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Dude, HE BOUGHT the company.
I think walking would have saved him considerably more than "a few K".
No, it's a case of "man imitating boat anchor".
;D
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The first thought that crossed my mind, when reading this article, was... bail. I mean come on, man. It's not like the seway was screaming along at 100 mph. Given the speed at which they travel, one would think he would have had time to abandon ship rather than take the plunge. ???
Swoop
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It wasn't the regular Segway you would by, it was the "off road" model they are selling to the military.
The article says the trail is rougher than a cob, He may have got bounced off balance and lost control.
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Military? Off road Segway? Is it just me, or do you think the average grunt would be justified in a fragging if issued one of those in Iraq? Just sayin'. ;)
FQ13
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Military? Off road Segway? Is it just me, or do you think the average grunt would be justified in a fragging if issued one of those in Iraq? Just sayin'. ;)
FQ13
That's exactly where they are using them.
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And here's why:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/31/AR2009013101717.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/31/AR2009013101717.html)
"Individual Marine combat loads -- including protective gear, weapons, ammunition, water, food and communications gear -- range from 97 to 135 pounds, well over the recommended 50 pounds, a 2007 Navy study found.
In Afghanistan, soldiers routinely carry loads of 130 to 150 pounds for three-day missions, said Jim Stone, acting director of the soldier requirements division at the Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Ga. In Iraq, where patrols are more likely to use vehicles, loads range from 60 to nearly 100 pounds, he said. "
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And here's why:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/31/AR2009013101717.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/31/AR2009013101717.html)
"Individual Marine combat loads -- including protective gear, weapons, ammunition, water, food and communications gear -- range from 97 to 135 pounds, well over the recommended 50 pounds, a 2007 Navy study found.
In Afghanistan, soldiers routinely carry loads of 130 to 150 pounds for three-day missions, said Jim Stone, acting director of the soldier requirements division at the Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Ga. In Iraq, where patrols are more likely to use vehicles, loads range from 60 to nearly 100 pounds, he said. "
The funny part is that the recommendations, and the soldiers actual load, have both remained fairly constant ever since Marius reorganized the Roman legions, probably longer if we had the full record.
What other choice is there in many cases ? Infantry are often sent into an area on foot because there is no other way to get there.
Many times air resupply may not be possible, pack mules would require even more support, the only place left to pile the supplies and equipment needed is on the soldiers back.
That's why their called "Grunt's", it used to be "Marius's mules". ;D
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FOR SALE:
1 slightly used "Off-Road" Model Segue personal transport vehicle. VERY low mileage, in fact this vehicle was used only once by the owner of the company. Some minor cosmetic damage. If interested call BR-549. ;D
I know, I know......I'm going straight to Hell for that.
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I remember where I heard the number BR-549 before.
Anyone else?
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I remember where I heard the number BR-549 before.
Anyone else?
Jr. Samples.
How 'bout BR-1Z1Z? ;D
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Jr. Samples.
How 'bout BR-1Z1Z? ;D
Didn't remember that till you mentioned it.
Sequels are seldom as memorable as the original :D :D
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Didn't remember that till you mentioned it.
Sequels are seldom as memorable as the original :D :D
I think once or twice it was written as BR5-49....but that's been a long time ago and I was just a kid, but I loved the show......grew up with it.
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I think once or twice it was written as BR5-49....but that's been a long time ago and I was just a kid, but I loved the show......grew up with it.
Was just a kid too...a College Kid...out of the Army and going on the GI Bill :D