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Michael Schumacher in coma after skiing accident

Michael James

Formula One titlist Michael Schumacher seriously hurt in French skiing accident.

Michael Schumacher, the retired seven-time Formula One champion and extreme sport enthusiast, remains in critical condition after undergoing brain surgery following a skiing accident in the French Alps.

Schumacher, 44, who retired from Formula One racing for the second time in 2012, fell while skiing off trail in Meribel, France, earlier Sunday, Dec. 29. He hit his head on a rock, according to a statement from the resort and as reported via major news organizations.

According to the resort managers, Schumacher was wearing a helmet and was conscious when rescuers arrived on scene.

Formula One titlist Michael Schumacher seriously hurt in French skiing accident.
Formula One titlist Michael Schumacher seriously hurt in French skiing accident.

The Grenoble University Hospital Center said the retired driver arrived at the clinic in a coma and underwent immediate surgery for a serious head trauma.

It was not clear whether Schumacher was still in a coma, but the hospital statement, which was signed by a neurosurgeon, an anesthesiologist and Marc Penaud, the hospital’s deputy director, said “he remains in a critical condition.”

The situation began to look more serious when the resort said that orthopedic and trauma surgeon Gerard Saillant had traveled from Paris to the hospital to examine Schumacher.

German news agency dpa said Saillant operated on Schumacher when he broke his leg during a crash at the Silverstone race course in 1999.

In addition to the crash at Silverstone, Schumacher was hurt seriously in a motorcycling accident in February 2009 in Spain when he suffered neck and spine injuries. He recovered sufficiently from those injuries to make a comeback in F1.

 

Article Last Updated: April 22, 2014.

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