From ABC Australia

British billionaire Richard Branson said Friday he thought he was going to die in a biking accident.

British billionaire Richard Branson says he thought he was going to die in a biking accident in the British Virgin Islands earlier this week in which he broke his cheek and tore some ligaments.

Virgin boss Mr Branson, who has built a vast business empire and is known for his daredevil stunts, said the accident happened when he was cycling with his children, Holly and Sam, and hit a bump on a road on the Caribbean island of Virgin Gorda.

“The next thing I knew, I was being hurled over the handlebars and my life was literally flashing before my eyes,” the 66-year-old wrote in a blog post, accompanied by graphic photos showing his injuries.

“I really thought I was going to die,” he said, adding that the helmet he was wearing probably saved his life. The bike fell off a cliff in the accident.

Mr Branson said he had travelled to Miami for hospital scans.

Richard Branson said Friday he thought he was going to die in a biking accident in the British Virgin Islands

Mr Branson has set a series of aviation and nautical adventure records, although he failed, despite numerous attempts, to become the first person to circumnavigate the globe non-stop in a balloon.

These exploits brought him close to tragedy in 1998 when he and his co-pilot had to ditch their balloon in the Pacific Ocean after low pressure forced the craft down.

His Virgin Galactic space tourism venture suffered a setback in 2014 when a fatal explosion brought down its SpaceShipTwo, killing its co-pilot.

He has owned a paradise island getaway since 1978 in the British Virgin Islands — a tax haven.

IMAGES:
PHOTO: Mr Branson said he had travelled to Miami for hospital scans. (Virgin.com)
PHOTO: Mr Branson has owned a paradise island in the British Virgin Islands since 1978. (Virgin.com)

AFP

For more on this story go to: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-27/richard-branson-injured-in-bike-accident/7790908