TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, CMC – Founder of the Virgin Group Richard Branson, on Friday, revealed details of what he says was a near brush with death in a cycling accident on the island of Virgin Gorda in this British overseas territory.

Branson, who lives on his private Caribbean island of Necker, says he was in neighbouring Virgin Gorda training for his Virgin Strive Challenge charity bike ride, when he hit a sleeping policeman hump in the road.

“I was being hurled over the handlebars and my life was literally flashing before my eyes,” said Sir Richard, 66 in a statement on his website.

“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. “I was wearing a helmet that saved my life. However, perhaps they should build bike helmets that protect the side of the face too – does anyone know of one?

“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.”

Sir Richard said he was helped to his feet by fellow members of the team, taken home and “patched up”.

He later flew to Miami to have X-rays and scans taken.