Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson is recovering after almost being killed in a horrific bike crash.
The 66 year old billionaire crashed his bike while training for the Virgin Strive Challenge with his children, Holly and Sam, on the British Virgin Islands.
Branson sustained injuries which included a cracked cheek and some torn ligaments in accident and was rushed to a Florida hospital for treatment.
Discussing his narrow escape from death on Wednesday night:
“I really thought I was going to die. I went flying head-first towards the concrete road.
“But fortunately my shoulder and cheek took the brunt of the impact, and I was wearing a helmet that saved my life.
“My bike went flying off the cliff and disappeared. We’ve since recovered the crumpled bicycle, completely destroyed.”
“My cheek has been badly damaged and my knee, chin, shoulder and body severely cut.”
The incident comes just a few months after the mogul, known for his love of daredevil stunts, had a run in with a deadly stingray, the same type of poisonous underwater creature that ended the life of popular conservationist Steve Irwin in 2006. Depsite his injuries, Branson was upbeat.
“My attitude has always been, if you fall flat on your face, at least you’re moving forward. All you have to do is get back up and try again.
“At least I’m practicing what I preach – though a little too literally! The date of the accident just happened to be the fifth anniversary of the fire on Necker Island.”
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