Richard Branson, 71, shows horror injuries from ‘colossal cycling crash’ after his brakes failed on charity bike ride

RICHARD Branson has revealed his horror injuries from a “colossal” cycling crash after his brakes failed on a charity bike ride.

The 71-year-old billionaire feared he had broken his back after flying off his bike during the endurance charity race across the British Virgin Islands this week.

@richardbranson / twitterRichard Branson moments after the ‘colossal’ bike crash[/caption]

The entrepreneur was treated for severe cuts and bruises

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 the smash on the island of Tortola. 

In a blog post on his Virgin website, the entrepreneur there was “no question” that wearing a helmet saved his life.

Moments before the accident, Sir Richard said he had pulled on his brakes as tight as he could – but they “didn’t respond” and he “slammed” onto the concrete.

The father-of-three shared photos of the aftermath, showing him lying on his back next to fellow rider Felix Stellmaszek. 

In another snap, the tycoon is seen smiling with his thumb up while holding an ice pack.

Other photos show his horror injuries, including a massive, bloodied lump on his left hip and a heavily bruised and scratched arm through his torn cycling shirt.  

Sir Richard wrote in the blog post: “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 explained: “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.”