Wearing a helmet, serious condition
Quote
Michael Schumacher, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, is in a "critical condition" after a skiing accident, says the French hospital at which he is being treated.
The 44-year-old German "was suffering a serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival" the hospital in the south-east city of Grenoble said in a statement.
Schumacher's management confirmed his critical condition, reports said.
He was skiing off-piste with his son in the Alps when the accident occurred.
Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he fell and hit his head against a rock, Meribel resort director Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte said earlier.
Early reports had said his condition was not life-threatening.
Mr Gernignon-Lecomte said Schumacher was conscious when he was attended to by two ski patrollers who requested helicopter evacuation to the nearby valley town of Moutiers.
He was subsequently moved to the bigger facility at Grenoble. His wife Corinna and children are with him.
The German, who is due to turn 45 on 3 January, retired from F1 for a second time in 2012.
Professor Gerard Saillant, a close ally and friend of Schumacher, and his former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt are at the hospital.
Prof Saillant is an expert in brain and spine injury. He oversaw Schumacher's medical care when the German broke his leg in the 1999 British GP.
The hospital statement was signed by the facility's neurosurgeon, the professor in charge of its anaesthesia/revival unit, and the hospital's deputy director, said AFP news agency.
Schumacher won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during a 19-year career in Formula 1.
He won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000.
The German retired in 2006, but returned in 2010 with Mercedes. After three seasons which yielded just one podium finish, he quit the sport at the end of 2012.
The 44-year-old German "was suffering a serious brain trauma with coma on his arrival" the hospital in the south-east city of Grenoble said in a statement.
Schumacher's management confirmed his critical condition, reports said.
He was skiing off-piste with his son in the Alps when the accident occurred.
Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he fell and hit his head against a rock, Meribel resort director Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte said earlier.
Early reports had said his condition was not life-threatening.
Mr Gernignon-Lecomte said Schumacher was conscious when he was attended to by two ski patrollers who requested helicopter evacuation to the nearby valley town of Moutiers.
He was subsequently moved to the bigger facility at Grenoble. His wife Corinna and children are with him.
The German, who is due to turn 45 on 3 January, retired from F1 for a second time in 2012.
Professor Gerard Saillant, a close ally and friend of Schumacher, and his former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt are at the hospital.
Prof Saillant is an expert in brain and spine injury. He oversaw Schumacher's medical care when the German broke his leg in the 1999 British GP.
The hospital statement was signed by the facility's neurosurgeon, the professor in charge of its anaesthesia/revival unit, and the hospital's deputy director, said AFP news agency.
Schumacher won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during a 19-year career in Formula 1.
He won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000.
The German retired in 2006, but returned in 2010 with Mercedes. After three seasons which yielded just one podium finish, he quit the sport at the end of 2012.
) Icicles, frost and chunks of snow were shaped by natures paint brush to create beautiful masterpieces. The view from the top was as beautiful as it always is on a crystal clear day.
Maybe it's the unseasonably warm weather we're experiencing or the lack of snow on Fujisan but something's up! Hell, the other weekend I even passed up the opportunity to check out the Kanda/Ochanomizu snowboard shops and went to a cafe instead! So if anyone has seen my stoke or has any suggestions as to where I might find it, could they please get in touch asap! 