Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher remains in ‘critical’ condition following a fall while skiing off-piste in the French Alps resort of Meribel, his agent said on Sunday (December 29).
The 44-year-old German was taken to hospital in Grenoble and placed under the care of Professor Gerard Saillant, a brain and spine injury expert.
“He suffers - he was suffering from severe cranial trauma with coma when he arrived, which required neurosurgery. He is still in a critical condition,” Schumacher’s agent said in a statement late in the evening, which a hospital official read to reporters.
A hospital official declined to give more details but said more information would be given out on Monday.
Saillant is a close friend of Schumacher’s and his former Ferrari team chief Jean Todt, who is now President of the FIA.
Le Dauphine Libere newspaper reported on its website that Schumacher’s condition had worsened and that his life was now endangered. It did not disclose its sources.
Sky Sports News late on Sunday also reported the F1 champion was in “critical” condition.
Schumacher’s spokeswoman Sabine Kehm was unable to give any further information about his condition but confirmed he was on a private ski trip and had not been alone.
“I can confirm that Mr Schumacher is in our hospital since 1330 (1230 GMT, 8:30 a.m. in the Philippines). He is currently being examined and his press attache will publish a statement very soon. (Journalist asking what kind of exams Schumacher is having) Classical tests, medical imaging,” said hospital director Jean-Marc Grenier.
Meanwhile, French fellow Formula One driver, Olivier Panis, said he had not been allowed to see Schumacher when he arrived at the hospital to visit him.
“Am I worried? As long as we don’t know what he has.... I mean, I’m like you, I heard the news and as I am from the region I came to see him but as we can’t see him... We’ll see tomorrow,” he told journalists gathered outside hospital.
Schumacher, whose birthday is on Jan. 3, is the most successful Formula One driver of all time with a record 91 victories among his achievements. He won his titles with Benetton and Ferrari.
“He’s a very good mate and above all a great champion. He was very much appreciated in Formula one,” Panis added.
Michael Schumacher left the sport last year after a three-year comeback with Mercedes following an earlier retirement from Ferrari at the end of 2006.
The German lives in Switzerland with his wife and two children, who were believed to be with him in Grenoble. (Reuters)
