Sir Richard Branson says he thought he was “going to die” after crashing his bike on Caribbean island Virgin Gorda.
Advertisement
DAREDEVIL billionaire Richard Branson has told of the horror moment he feared he would die after smashing head-first onto the road during a high speed bike crash.
Branson posted pictures of his bruised and bloodied face on his blog post, and said that his injuries included a cracked cheek and torn ligaments.
The business magnate, 66, credits his bicycle helmet with saving his life – and had a moment where he thought for certain he was going to die.
The businessman, who was training for the Virgin Strive Challenge when the accident took place, noted that bike helmets that protect the side of the face as well as the head could be useful. The Virgin founder badly damaged his cheek and suffered severe cuts to his knee, chin, shoulder and body.
“Coincidentally, the first person to arrive on the scene was my assistant Helen, who had just returned from holiday”, he said.
This isn’t the media mogul’s first accident; Branson was stung by a stingray a few months ago in the Cayman Islands. At least you’ve still got a job!’
He travelled to Miami, USA for x-rays and scans, and described himself as “extremely fortunate” to have avoided more serious injuries.
Branson wrote that he is on the road to recovery, and that his biggest complaint is having to drink tea through a straw.
He pointed out his accident happened on the fifth anniversary of the fire on Necker Island. “At least I’m practicing what I preach – though a little too literally!” he added.
Sir Richard said he has “been in the wars” this year, twice knocking his teeth out playing tennis, being “kissed by a ray” while swimming and running into a bulletproof door.
“Over the years I’ve had many brushes with death, not least in my ballooning adventures”, he also admitted.
Advertisement
His three attempts at circling the globe in a hot air balloon in the 1990s also ended in well-publicised failure.
