Michael Schumacher 'In Critical Condition'

Seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher remains in a coma after suffering serious head injuries while skiing with his son.10:19pm UK, Sunday 29 December 2013

Former motor racing world champion Michael Schumacher is in a coma following a skiing accident in France.

The 44-year-old German suffered a "serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival, which required an immediate neurosurgical operation," according to the hospital treating Schumacher in the French city of Grenoble.

Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he reportedly hit his head on a rock while skiing in the French Alps.

He was airlifted off the mountain following the accident in the resort of Meribel, in the popular Three Valleys area.


The German Formula One legend skiing in Italy in 2006
The sports star was skiing with his 14-year-old son and some friends when the accident occurred.

Schumacher's agent, Sabine Kehm, said: ''Michael fell on his head during a private ski trip in the French Alps.

"He was hospitalised and is receiving medical care. We ask for your understanding that we cannot give a running commentary on his state of health.

"He was wearing a helmet and was not alone.''


The accident occurred in the resort of Meribel in France
Journalist Carole Bouchard, from the French newspaper L'Equipe, told Sky News that the racing driver's condition had deteriorated this evening.

The French Mountain Gendarmerie had earlier said Schumacher's life was not in danger.

Former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt and Professor Gerard Saillant, a brain and spine injury expert, are at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where Schumacher is being treated.

Professor Saillant co-ordinated Schumacher's medical care after the driver broke his leg in the 1999 British Grand Prix.


Schumacher made a comeback to Formula One for Mercedes in 2010
The seven-times world champion first retired from Formula One in 2006. He owns a chalet in the Meribel resort and is a keen skier.

He has been hurt seriously once before, in a motorcycling accident in February 2009 when he suffered neck and spine injuries.

He recovered sufficiently from those injuries to make a comeback to Formula One in 2010.

But he made a disappointing return to the sport, managing only one podium finish during his three years with Mercedes.

The German driver retired from Formula One for a second time in December 2012.

More follows...

http://news.sky.com/story/1188296/michael-schumacher-in-critical-condition

Hard to see him bouncing back well from brain haemorrhage. Horrible news for his family and friends.

I've skied, and let me tell you, you have to be 100% tuned in for such a dangerous sport

Skiers are nutcases.

Went snowboarding myself last week and I can't believe how fast they go and the treacherous bumpy routes they take.

I have enormous respect for skiers, their lives are on virtual tenterhooks and in their own hands when they "go on a run"

Hope he gets better. Horrible to hear. Have a lot of respect and time for Scheuey. Top bloke, and great driver.

Decent footballer too.

I know several people who have gone skiing and come back injured-one is still having surgery 4 years later to correct a broken arm and wrist.

Apparently he's in a medically induced coma. Doctors have drilled holes in his head to relieve internal pressure. Really hope he pulls through - it'd be a sad start to 2014 if he passes away so soon after he retired.

His condition went backwards from serious to critical, I'd be surprised if he isn't declared vegetative. Such a shame.

Thats the thing
I always say "what ridiculous year this is and even more ridiculous is how we're all still around"

Yet none of us are actually thankful or grateful for those that are still around

Thats too bad

Gee, thank you very much mr Reddit :x

http://www.independent.ie/sport/only-a-miracle-can-save-michael-schumacher-doctors-reportedly-tell-family-30073360.html

Very sad. It was always going to be an up-hill battle so nobody's really surprised but it's very disappointing.

Michael Schumacher leaves hospital after waking from coma


Wonderful news. Great to hear he's 'awake' and definitely out of hospital. Definitely a long way to go I'm sure in terms of rehabilitation, but if he's out of hospital, it can only be good news.