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Billionaire Richard Branson survives bike crash

LONDON (AP) - Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson says he thought he was going to die after flying head first off his bicycle in the British Virgin Islands.

The Virgin Group boss hit a hump in the road on Virgin Gorda, one of the islands in the Carribbean, catapulting him into the road. The 66-year-old Branson posted pictures of his bloodied face on social media on Friday, showing the gruesome injuries that included a cracked cheek, torn ligaments and severe cuts.

He said: "My life was literally flashing before my eyes."

Branson said he was lucky that his shoulder and cheek took the brunt of the impact. He said wearing a helmet saved his life.

He added: "My attitude has always been, if you fall flat on your face, at least you're moving forward."

Undated handout image issued by Virgin.com on Friday Aug. 26, 2016 of Sir Richard Branson receives treatment after he was involved in an accident when he crashed his bicycle on Virgin Gorda, one of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The Virgin founder badly damaged his cheek and suffered severe cuts to his knee, chin, shoulder and body. Sir Richard said: "I was heading down a hill towards Leverick Bay when it suddenly got really dark and I managed to hit a traffic hump in the road head on.(Virgin.com via AP) The Associated Press
Undated handout image issued by Virgin.com on Friday Aug. 26, 2016 of Sir Richard Branson after he was involved in an accident when he crashed his bicycle on Virgin Gorda, one of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The Virgin founder badly damaged his cheek and suffered severe cuts to his knee, chin, shoulder and body. Sir Richard said: "I was heading down a hill towards Leverick Bay when it suddenly got really dark and I managed to hit a traffic hump in the road head on.(Virgin.com via AP) The Associated Press
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