Richard Branson got ‘seconds from death’ on charity Mont Blanc climb

Richard Branson got ‘seconds from death’ on charity Mont Blanc climb

“Three seconds earlier we would all certainly have been killed. I have never come so close to losing my son,” Sir Richard said.

From: Nepal Herald and Sky News.

The 68-year-old, along with Sam and his nephew Noah Devereux reached the top of the mountain on Saturday afternoon after completing the 33-day Virgin Strive Challenge – a 2,000km trek across Western Europe.

Sir Richard Branson climbs Mont Blanc in the Alps in the final stage of the Virgin Strive Challenge (Picture: PA) Nepal Herald.
Sir Richard Branson climbs Mont Blanc in the Alps in the final stage of the Virgin Strive Challenge (Picture: PA) Nepal Herald.

A core team of 13 hiked, climbed, cycled and even used sea kayaks to complete their journey from Sardinia to the top of Mont Blanc – raising money for the charity Big Change which helps disadvantaged young people in the UK.

After completing the climb, Sir Richard said: ‘God forbid, a few seconds earlier it would not have been as pretty – so I’m very thankful we got through it.

‘There’s definitely a friendly star above our family and it keeps a watchful eye over us.

‘Three seconds earlier and we would all certainly have been killed.’

He continued: ‘I have never come so terrifyingly close to losing my son and other team mates and it all happened in a matter of seconds.

Sir Richard Branson and the core team on the summit of Mont Blanc (Picture: PA) Nepal Herald
Sir Richard Branson and the core team on the summit of Mont Blanc (Picture: PA) Nepal Herald

‘A side of a cliff had broken away from the mountain further up and seconds later huge boulders the size of small cars were bouncing towards us. Rocks rained down on us from every angle.

‘I am not exaggerating when I say four of our team were seconds away from certain death.

‘We were all quite emotional and we were completely shattered and exhausted.’

Sir Richard Branson and his son arrive seconds after death during the dramatic climb to the Mont Blanc.
Sir Richard Branson and his son arrive seconds after death during the dramatic climb to the Mont Blanc.

Sam Branson captured the terrifying moment the team passed through the area known as ‘The Gully of Death’ on camera as he admitted he was glad to see his children the day before.

He said: ‘Obviously being attached to my dad was scary enough going up because I love him.

‘But there’s that added element of concern outside which is yourself and the whole team to think about.

‘We were hiding in fear, not knowing whether the rocks were falling directly on us or to the side – there was an overwhelming array of emotions.’

Noah, who had watched events unfold from above, thought Sam and Sir Richard had been killed in the rock-fall.

He said: ‘I was screaming ‘Sam! Sam!’ but we didn’t hear anything back.

‘It was just the sound of the rock-fall just slowly dissipating which was quite an eerie sound itself and then just complete silence.

‘The noise and the size of the rocks coming down was completely terrifying.’

He added: ‘I saw Sam and Richard’s head appear above the crest of ridge behind me and that’s probably one of the greatest senses of relief I’ve ever experienced in my life – so much so I did have a little cry.’

Sir Richard Branson on his climb to the Mont Blanc.
Sir Richard Branson on his climb to the Mont Blanc.

Sir Richard’s daughter Holly, who was not told about their traumatic experience until the team were back in Chamonix, said: ‘(I was told) ‘you are going to see them a bit quicker than you thought’ and I hung up the phone and I did start crying.

‘I wasn’t expecting it at all because we had had such a good journey (when we climbed Mont Blanc) six years ago I just didn’t have any element of me that was nervous.

‘When you hear the risk that they went through, they did have a chance of not coming back.’

For more news on Chamonix, such as the review of QC Terme, or the Terminal Neige Refuge du Montenvers,

Or you can read the news when the Panoramic Mont Blanc lift fall after a big snowstorm last January. or the recent fire of the Grands Montets ski area and the announcement that the ski area will open this winter for winter sports.

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Sir Richard Branson- photo Sky News.
Sir Richard Branson- photo Sky News.

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Featured Image: Sir Richard Branson and his son Sam almost did not make it in a charity climb to the Mont Blanc. Picture PA. Nepal Herald. 

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