Billionaire Richard Branson crashes badly on a charity cycle ride
Sir Richard Branson suffered a horrendous cycle crash after his brakes failed on a steep descent on the British Virgin Islands. Branson had no choice but to crash into fellow rider Felix Stellmaszek or plunge off a cliff to certain death
The 71-year-old billionaire feared he had broken his back after colliding with another rider during day two of the Strive BVI event - which sees fitness fanatics complete a series of gruelling water and land-based challenges over the course of several days.
The Virgin founder said he had to be treated for severe cuts and bruises on his elbow, an 'extraordinarily big bump' on his hip and a 'massive' hematoma on his leg after flying off his bike and crashing onto the hard concrete road on the island of Tortola.
The father-of-three said there was 'no question' that wearing a helmet saved his life.
The entrepreneur shared photos from moments after the crash which show him laying on his back next to fellow rider Felix Stellmaszek.
In another photo the tycoon is seen smiling with his thumb up while holding an ice pack as he is pictured getting into the van which took him to the Virgin Gorda hospital.
Meanwhile other snaps show a huge, bloodied lump on his left hip and a heavily bruised and scratched arm through his torn cycling shirt.
Sir Richard wrote: 'I was navigating a steep corner, with a massive cliff drop to my left, a car coming up the hill, and my fellow Striver, Felix Stellmaszek, in front of me passing the car.
'I pulled on both of my brakes, but they didn’t respond.
'I was going faster and faster, with my options being to drop off the cliff, hit the car, or potentially run into Felix.'
He said he pulled on his brakes as tight as he could but they 'didn't respond'.
He added: 'I cried out to Felix a warning - “brakes not working!” - but he had no chance of getting out of the way. We crashed - hard.
'We both fell off our bikes and our heads and bodies slammed into the concrete road.
'There is no question that wearing helmets saved our lives – not the first time that has been the case.
'We both lay flat out on the road as the rest of the team gathered around us.
'I stayed still, hoping I hadn’t broken my back or paralysed myself. Slowly, I moved my limbs and was relieved they responded.'
Both men were taken to Virgin Gorda hospital where they were treated for their injuries.
Sir Richard uploaded a video to his Instagram account today which documented the moment both men were waiting to be transported from the scene.
In the clip, Mr Stellmaszek recounts the moment Sir Richard crashed into him.
He says: 'We had to break pretty hard... Richard in a very nice and gentle manner said: "My brakes are failing!", next thing I know he jumped on my bike, we both crashed.
'But I've never had someone push me off the road and apologise in advance, it was very gentle and kind of him I've gotta say.'
While giggling in the front of the vehicle, Sir Richard insists that he tried to pass him.
Mr Stellmaszek replies: 'You're making me laugh so hard it hurts', to which Sir Richard says: 'I think you might have saved my life because I was gathering such speed without the brakes.'
While laughing Mr Stellmaszek adds: 'Well you said I make a good cushion... ah this hurts.'
The Strive BVI is described as a 'multi-discipline challenge fundraising event across the British Virgin Islands entirely under human and sail power.'
It occurs each year and raises funds for Big Change, a charity founded by Sir Richard's children Holly and Sam.
Sir Richard had enjoyed sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding around Anegada during the challenge's first day.
On day two, the day of the crash, the entrepreneur had already endured a punishing 60km bike ride around the rolling hills of Tortola, before agreeing to do an extra 10km.
It was on his return down a steep winding road that the crash happened.
There are still hiking, swimming and sailing events planned for later this week, although it's not known if Sir Richard will be taking part.
Sir Richard added: 'Thanks so much to the medical team who helped us.
'I’ve got some severe cuts and bruises on my elbow, an extraordinarily big bump on my hip and a massive hematoma on my leg. But it could have been so much worse.'
It's not the first time the business mogul has been injured on his bike in the Virgin Islands.
In 2016, he cracked his cheek and tore several ligaments while riding in the Virgin Strive challenge in Leverick Bay, forcing him to have to drink tea through a straw.
He said at the time: 'I was heading down a hill towards Leverick Bay when it suddenly got really dark and I managed to hit a "sleeping policeman" hump in the road head on.
‘The next thing I knew, I was being hurled over the handlebars and my life was literally flashing before my eyes.
'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.'
Sir Richard added that wearing a helmet saved his life, and his bicycle went flying off the cliff’.
He continued: 'I really couldn’t believe I was alive, let alone not paralysed.'
It's not the first accident on a bike for Sir Richard, in 2016 he he hit a hump in the road during a night ride and suffered cuts to his knee, chin, shoulder and torso, tore ligaments and cracked his cheekbone.
Stage 2 to Fossano
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