Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is reported to be in critical condition after suffering a head injury in a skiing accident.
Michael Schumacher, one of the utmost iconic race car drivers of all time underwent neurosurgery after hitting his head against a rock while skiing in the French Alps on Sunday. The racer who retired from the sport last year, is being treated at Grenoble hospital was initially reported to sustain non life threatening injuries but the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver’s condition had worsened and is now regarded as critical.
A statement from the University Hospital of Grenoble, confirmed the 44-year-old was in a coma.
“Mr. Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40pm, following a skiing accident which occurred in Meribel in the late morning,” the statement said. “He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation.”
“Professor Saillant who is a close personal friend of his and very well-known specialist and surgeon, attended to him. His family is there to, but people are getting more and more worried.
“They are still investigating exactly what happened as it is still not clear. The response was quick – six minutes, maybe ten at most – before they airlifted him to the nearest hospital. Then when it became clear he was deteriorating they moved him again.”
The accident occurred while Micheal was skiing in the French resort of Meribel in the popular Three Valleys area. He was wearing a helmet when he hit his head on a rock.
Schumacher’s spokeswoman confirmed: “Michael fell on his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the French Alps. “He was taken to hospital and is receiving professional medical attention. We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information about his health. “He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. No one else was involved in the fall.”
Other race car drivers and fans took it to Twitter to offer their sympathies and prayers.
Let’s hope Michael Schumacher’s ski shunt is not too bad and that he’s totally fixable. He’s a crazy brave skydiving/bike racing daredevil
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) December 29, 2013
Come on Michael, give us one of those race stints at pure qualifying pace to win through, like you used to. You can do it.
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) December 29, 2013
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My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher and his family. If anyone can pull through this though it’s him. #positivethinking #fighter
— Dario Franchitti (@dariofranchitti) December 29, 2013
We at Hype Malaysia wishes Michael all the best and a speedy recovery.
