DECEMBER 30, 2013

Schumacher in critical condition

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher remains in critical condition at a French hospital, after a skiing accident on Sunday morning.

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher remains in critical condition at a French hospital, after a skiing accident on Sunday morning.

Schumacher was vacationing at the Meribel resort in the French alps, where he owns a chalet.

Schumacher was out-of-bounds skiing on Sunday morning with his 14-year-old son, and wearing a helmet at the time, when he fell and hit his head on a rock.

Early reports said that the 44-year-old walked away from the accident complaining of feeling shaken. Two ski patrollers attended to him, requesting a helicopter evacuation to the hospital at Moutiers, which is near the resort.

His condition seemed to worsen, and he was then transferred to the University Hospital of Grenoble.

The hospital issued the statement: "Mr Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40, following a skiing accident which occurred in Meribel in the late morning,"

"He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation."

The operation was most likely to relieve swelling to the brain.

Professor Gerard Saillant, an expert on brain and spine injuries, who heads the FIA Medical commission, has traveled to Grenoble to offer his assistance.