Sir Richard Branson in cycling crash in British Virgin Islands

Sir Richard Branson has revealed how he suffered a “colossal” cycling crash in the British Virgin Islands. WARNING: Graphic

Sir Richard Branson has revealed how he suffered a “colossal” cycling crash while he took part in an endurance charity race across the British Virgin Islands.

The 71-year-old billionaire, came away with a “extraordinarily big bump” on his hip and a “massive” haematoma on his leg after he collided with another rider and flew off his bike and hit a road on the island of Tortola.

The Virgin mogul feared he had broken his back after the crash, and shared graphic photos of his injuries with his Instagram followers.

He revealed a bloodied and badly bruised lump sticking out of on his left hip with his bruised arm where he had ripped his cycling T-shirt.

He also said he had to be treated for severe cuts and bruises on his elbow.

Branson was competing on the second day of the Strive BVI challenge which involves water and land events.

In a blog post on his Virgin website and on Instagram, the father-of-three said his brakes failed right before the crash.

Sir Richard Branson's injuries from his recent bike crash. Picture: Instagram

He 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.

Sir Richard Branson's injuries from his recent bike crash. Picture: Instagram

“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.”

Branson was shaken from the experience but also showed a photo of himself smiling with his thumb up while holding an ice pack.

Sir Richard Branson's latest bike crash at a charity event in the British Virgin Islands. Picture: Instagram/Sir Richard Branson

Branson and Stellmaszek were taken to Virgin Gorda Hospital where they underwent further medical treatment.

On Branson’s Instagram, Stellmaszek also explain the moment the billionaire crashed into him. “‘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.”

Branson said he tried to pass him.

Sir Richard Branson's injuries from his recent bike crash. Picture: Instagram

But Stellmaszek said: “You’re making me laugh so hard it hurts”.

Branson replied saying: “I think you might have saved my life because I was gathering such speed without the brakes.”

Stellmaszek said: “Well you said I make a good cushion … ah this hurts.”

The Strive BVI challenge they took part in raises funds for Big Change, a charity founded by Branson’s children Holly and Sam.

Branson had completed the 60km bike ride, before agreeing to do an extra 10km when the crash occurred.

“I’ve got some severe cuts and bruises on my elbow, an extraordinarily big bump on my hip and a massive haematoma on my leg. But it could have been so much worse,” he said.

Originally published as Sir Richard Branson in cycling crash in British Virgin Islands