Sir Richard Branson 'seconds from death' on charity Mont Blanc climb

Sir Richard Branson was "seconds away from certain death" after nearly being caught in a rockfall on Mont Blanc.

The billionaire businessman, 68, was climbing with his son Sam when rocks "the size of small cars" crashed over their heads before they reached the summit in the Alps.

Reflecting on their lucky escape, Sir Richard said: "Three seconds earlier and we would all certainly have been killed. There's definitely a friendly star above our family and it keeps a watchful eye over us.

"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," he added.

"I am not exaggerating when I say four of our team were seconds away from certain death. I have never come so terrifyingly close to losing my son and other team mates and it all happened in a matter of seconds," he said.

Sam Branson published video showing the group scrambling for cover behind large boulders during the dramatic incident in the area known as "The Gully of Death".

The group, which also included Mr Branson's nephew Noah Devereux, reached the top of western Europe's highest peak on Saturday afternoon after completing the 33-day Virgin Strive Challenge - a 2,000km trek across Western Europe.

Mr Branson Jr, who said the trip had raised £6m, for the charity, said: "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."

Mr Devereux, who had watched what he called the "terrifying" drama 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. 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."

The team descended from the summit by helicopter after agreeing the path back down was not worth the risk.