FEBRUARY 19, 2014

Camera not to blame for Schumacher injury

Speculation the personal Gopro video camera mounted on Michael Schumacher's helmet contributed to his injuries is "not true".

Speculation the personal Gopro video camera mounted on Michael Schumacher's helmet contributed to his injuries is not true.

That is the claim of the major German newspaper Die Welt, following reports the spotlight had fallen on the camera's mounting and the fact the helmet was found at the crash site in several pieces.

The reports claimed the camera had a hammer-like effect when Schumacher's head struck the rock.

A source at the French technology research laboratory Critt said: "At the wrong angle, (the camera) could lead to a shock effect, cracking the helmet."

And helmet maker Uvex said a camera "may affect the protective effect" of a helmet in the event of a particular impact.

But a report in Die Welt newspaper said the investigation - which found no one at fault - by French authorities into the Schumacher crash had disproved the camera theory.

That is because "Schumacher crashed into the rock with the right side of his head. The camera was mounted in the centre of the helmet and remained intact".

"In this way, the video material was not damaged in any way, and the memory card could be fully evaluated," Welt added.

(GMM)