Phones 4U billionaire founder John Caudwell has revealed how he was left fighting for his life and needing multiple operations after a freak accident saw him break 11 bones while on holiday.
The tycoon, 68, was airlifted to hospital in Florence, Italy after the front tyre of his bicycle exploded while descending one of the region's stunning mountains at 25mph.
He had been cycling with girlfriend and former Olympic cyclist Modesta Vzesniauskaite, 37, ahead of his annual bikeriding fundraiser when he suffered the terrifying accident that left him barely conscious.
Mr Caudwell was rushed to hospital, where staff didn't speak any English, and received treatment for a punctured lung, broken collarbone, shattered shoulder blade and six broken ribs.
Speaking to the Sun after his holiday from hell, Caudwell praised his helmet for saving his life and described how the accident left him unable to breathe and in agonising pain.
He said: 'I’m 99 per cent certain that if I hadn’t been wearing a helmet I would have paid with my life.
'The accident came out of nowhere. I was on my first downhill bend of the ride and my front tyre exploded sending me crashing to the ground.
'I knew I’d done something serious as I couldn’t breathe and I was in agony in my shoulder and rib cage.'
Phones 4U founder John Caudwell, 68, was airlifted to hospital in Florence, Italy after the front tyre of his bicycle exploded while descending one of the region's stunning mountains
He received treatment for a punctured lung, broken collarbone, shattered shoulder blade and six broken ribs
Aftermath: Caudwell had been cycling with girlfriend and former Olympic cyclist Modesta Vzesniauskaite, 37, ahead of his annual bikeriding fundraiser when the front tyre of his bike exploded (pictured above)
Last month Caudwell explained: 'I had just climbed one of the mountains around Florence and started a descent.
'As I rounded the first bend, my front tyre exploded and my head, shoulder and hip crashed to the ground.
'A passer-by called the ambulance while I sat on the roadside barely
