Oh no, Richard Branson!
TYCOON Richard Branson has told about how he was savaged by a stingray — then cut his head open walking into a glass door.
The Virgin billionaire said he was swimming with dozens of stingrays off the coast of Grand Cayman when he was bitten on the arm.
He later posted a picture of his injuries on Twitter, saying: “Been in the wars in the Cayman Islands — bitten by a shark.”
The entrepreneur defended his shark claim by stating rays are part of the shark family.
From kitesurfing across the English Channel to traversing the Atlantic Ocean by hot air balloon, Branson’s taste for adventure is as insatiable as his business drive. But even he wasn’t expected to be felled twice on the same trip.
Ouch ... Picture: Richard BransonSource:Twitter
The Virgin Group founder, 65, said: “I’ve been in the wars this week over in the Cayman Islands. I was very excited to make the trip to Grand Cayman for a special swim with dozens of beautiful rays. But it didn’t quite go to plan.
“We joined renowned ocean conservationist Guy Harvey to see the rays up close at Stingray City Sandbar. We were surrounded by stingray, as well as stunning coral reefs and tropical fish.
“But the rays were feeding all around, and they mistook yours truly for their food. Suddenly I felt a painful sensation on my wrist — they have one heck of a painful bite! Rays are actually part of the shark family, so I’ve now been bitten by a shark.
In the wars. Picture: Richard BransonSource:Twitter
“We made it back to shore and I put on a brave face as I got some treatment. I’m still proudly campaigning to protect rays, even if I did get bitten!,” he told Virgin.com.
Twitter users had a field day responding to his holiday woes.
@richardbranson Might I suggest that keeping sharks on the patio is a little foolhardy?
— Ping (@pingbarglefarp) February 10, 2016
@richardbranson Little kiss ,Sir you are batman.soon recover http://pic.twitter.com/aR8AExcQoG
— KP KHOO (@kp_khoo) February 10, 2016
@richardbranson were you running away from the shark when you ran into the door?
— Nenad Ristic (@Nenad) February 10, 2016
@richardbranson Oh dear - should have gone to Spec Savers? Hope you mend soon!
— Big Dog Bed Company (@GiantDogBeds) February 10, 2016
TV’s Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin infamously fatally stung in the chest by a stingray in 2006. His death made headlines around the world. But there have only been 17 cases ever reported of human stingray deaths worldwide, experts said. In contrast, dog attacks kill hundreds globally every year.
“Then, as my anniversary was coming up, I popped into a local jewellery shop to look for a gift for Joan. I strolled purposefully into the shop, not noticing there was a glass door in my way,” he blogged.
“I hit the glass head first and I got this painful cut above my left eye. It was bulletproof glass! We quickly set up a makeshift operating theatre, where I was given three stitches.
“By now I was feeling rather woozy, and quite embarrassed, but I was still smiling. Later, there was time for me to take part in a tennis tournament. I was fortunate enough to join in the mixed doubles, with Anna Kournikova. Tough job, but somebody had to do it!”
Branson is no stranger to often grave misadventures. He famously capsized and had to be rescued while attempting the fastest Atlantic Ocean crossing in 1985, while his three attempts at circling the globe in a hot-air balloon failed.
This story originally appeared on The Sun.
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