Thursday, 2 January 2014

Michael Schumacher: All You Need To Know

Michael Schumacher is known for his dare-devil antics, with Juan Manuel Fangio having remarked on his penchant for risk-taking.

 A lot has happened since Schumacher's freak skiing accident. We will keep this page up to speed on how Schumacher is doing in his road to recovery.


30/01/14

Speculation was rife, and the silence from the medical team between the 17th and the 30th only served to stoke the flames.
Things looked bleak; no one could confirm as to whether Schumacher was to wake from his induced coma, or the state of his condition.
However, things have taken an upward turn; the medical team at Grenoble hospital finally confirmed today that they have begun waking Schumacher.
In a statement released on behalf of Schumacher's family, the seven-times World Champion's manager Sabine Kehm declared: "The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting to respect its privacy and the medical secret, and to not disturb the doctors treating Michael in their work. At the same time, the family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the world wide sympathy.
"Michael's sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take a long time. For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated."
The F1 paddock at Jerez has been united in offering its support to the former Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes driver, with both of the latter teams carrying goodwill messages on their cars during the first of the three winter tests.
Former rival Giancarlo Fisichella showed his support in light of the news.



16/01/14

As Schumacher continues his fight for life for the eighteenth day, and having been told by his management and the surgeons at Grenoble Hospital that no news is good news, things took a turn for the worse in the last twenty-four hours.
Fears are mounting that the seven-time world champion may not wake from his coma, as the amount of time it takes people with similar injuries to recover well enough to be woken is around fourteen days. Even if he does, he is very likely to be a changed man.
Richard Greenwood, a consultant neurologist at London's Homerton Hospital and at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, says that if Schumacher were to awaken, he is likely to be a regular Joe Bloggs rather than a man with a superstar mentality.
"If Schumacher survives he will not be Schumacher. He will be Bloggs. And his rehabilitation will only be effective if he comes to terms with being Bloggs - and fulfils what Bloggs can do," Greenwood told a group of doctors and reporters as he gave the results of a major new study into the long-term effects of brain trauma.
"That's a very, very difficult process to take people through - and many people don't achieve it."
The Daily Star reports that German publication Bild had quoted medical experts who said that Schumacher's condition is so grave that there is a chance he will not awaken, adding that doctors currently have no plans to try to rouse him from his coma.
“The sooner an artificial coma ends, the faster return usually normal body functions such as breathing,” Heinz Peter Moecke, director of the Institute for Emergency Medicine, Asklepios Kliniken in Hamburg told the paper. He went on to say that people are typically kept in a coma for a few days or at most one or two weeks because the patient could have problems such as swelling in the brain or liver damage due to the medication.

There is little silver lining to these stories, with British neuroscientists saying that people with severe head injuries like the one that left Michael Schumacher in critical condition have permanently altered brains that make the victims more likely to become mentally ill and die prematurely.
We will have more on this as soon as we can.


09/01/14

There has been little change in Schumacher's condition, on the eleventh day since his accident.
On Tuesday (7th) Corinna Schumacher appealed to the media to "please support us in our common fight with Michael", as well as stating that "it is important to me that you [media] relieve the doctors and the hospital so that they can work in peace. I kindly ask you to trust their statements and leave the clinic. Please leave our family in peace, too."
On Wednesday (8th), a press conference was held at 10:00am to update the media on how the investigation was progressing, hoping to dispel any myths that surrounded it:
"With regard to the inquiry itself, it's progressing well.
"We've had a number of hearings from the emergency services on the spot - people that rented the skiis, witnesses.
"We had some analysis of the skiis and the helmet. We also examined the film that was made on the camera that was fixed on Mr Schumacher's head."
There had been a lot of discussion amongst the media as to the progress that the investigators are going through, but little in terms of specifics. The investigators went on to mention what they had pieced together so far from witness statements:
"Mr Schumacher was going down the piste until an intersection. He followed the piste to the left side and found himself off piste.
"He's obviously a very good skier. At one point his skiis hit a rock and he falls forward. He hits his head about three metres below.
"Mr Schumacher is on the ground and he's at nine metres from the edge of the piste."
They went on to talk specifically about the footage from Schumacher's helmet camera. It had initially been thought that the camera was too damaged in order for footage to be extracted, however some of the footage survived.
"That particular film was extremely legible and confirms the information we had at hand.
"We will take advantage of this film to recreate the situation.
"We will know the path that Mr Schumacher followed.
The path Schumacher is said to have followed.
"The film will be examined and the technician will look at it," the investigator added.
There had been some confusion in respect of the speed that Schumacher was travelling at the time. One witness statement suggested that Schumacher had stopped to help a child off-piste, while Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's spokeswoman, had stated that he was travelling but didn't exceed 20km/h. The prosecutor had been quoted as saying that 'the speed was not important', which of course suggests that this isn't being investigated in any great detail, but this seems in contrast with that was said by the investigators at the conference:
"It's difficult for [us] to evaluate the speed. The people involved in the enquiry are probably best to tell us how we can calculate the speed." said one investigator.
"Because of that slope. He tried to reduce his speed, but there were few curves. We can't estimate his speed at kmph," added another investigator.


06/01/14

Michael Schumacher’s condition is stable but remains critical eight days after the German's skiing accident.
'The clinical state of Michael Schumacher is stable as he’s under permanent care and treatment,' Grenoble hospital said in a statement today. 'However, the medical team in charge stresses that it continues to assess his situation as critical.'
Investigators also interviewed Schumacher's son Mick, 14, son, who was with his father at the time of the accident on the slopes of the French resort of Meribel on the 29th December 2013. His family had initially believed that the camera that was attached to Schumacher Sr.'s helmet at the time of the accident had also been broken, but a subsequent investigation revealed some of the footage was intact.
The German F1 legend's wife Corinna revealed that the family have been 'utterly overwhelmed' and 'moved to tears' by the 45th birthday vigil held by more than 200 fans and well-wishers outside the French hospital on Friday.
Fans gather to show their support for the seven-time champion.
Meanwhile there appears to have been a development in understanding what caused Schumacher’s accident.
According to 'Der Spiegel' in Germany, a 35 year old German flight attendant was filming his girlfriend skiing on the piste in Meribel and Schumacher’s accident is captured in the background.
This version of events has Schumacher travelling at no more than 20km/h and veering into the off-piste area between a blue run and a red run, which appears not to be well marked. This would appear to support Kehm’s assertion last week that the seven times F1 champion was not going quickly when he crashed. This evidence has been handed into the authorities investigating the incident.
Mika Hakkinen, the man that Schumacher had been quoted as saying was "the only driver [he] really feared" has sent a message of support to his former opponent.
"Your accident is now just another challenge," Hakkinen wrote in an email to Schumacher and his family which was published by 'Bild am Sonntag'. "You have to fight hard again, just like we both used to do on the track."
Hakkinen himself was in a coma following an accident in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix in 1995, and said he survived "with the help of my family and the professional support of the doctors. I am sure you are getting the same kind of help."
Hakkinen also told his former rival to be patient as he attempts to recover.
"Do me a favour: just this once don't try to beat the clock. You don't have to post your best time in this race. You have to take all the time you need. Take it easy, Mika".
Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's spokeswoman, reiterated that the only credible reports on his condition will come from the family and medics attending Schumacher, and only then when there is something new to say.


03/01/14

Michael Schumacher's 45th birthday prompted a silent vigil from his fans that had gathered outside the hospital in which he is being treated.
Schumacher had intended to spend his 45th birthday surrounded by friends in his chalet in the ski resort of Méribel. His management had earmarked the date to relaunch his website, showcasing the record-breaking Formula One champion's life after retiring from competitive sport.
On Friday, Schumacher's wife Corinna, brother Ralf, father Rold, son Mick and daughter Gina-Maria have spent much of the past few days and nights at his bedside. Over the course of Friday, buses with about 500 Italian Ferrari fans pulled up in the driving rain. Mostly clad in red-and-white and carrying flags and banners, they had gathered to show their "silent support".
A camera reportedly attached to Michael Schumacher's helmet is being looked at in the hope it will reveal more about the circumstances of his skiing accident. Authorities are examining the device and are also questioning Schumacher's son, who was with him when he crashed, according to French news agency AFP.
An Indian sand artist showed his support by creating a tribute to the German. further cementing his popularity while showing that F1's presence in India has been culturally enriching for all concerned.


02/01/14

Michael Schumacher remained "stable" but was still in a critical condition on Thursday after his fourth night in hospital.
The German racing great is being accompanied near constantly by his wife Corinna, 16-year-old daughter Gina-Maria and 14-year-old son Mick at his bedside.
Doctors previously pointed out that Schumacher has age and physical fitness on his side. He was put in a medically induced coma to spur recovery, and his temperature has been reduced to around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) to reduce swelling on his brain.

01/01/14

Michael Schumacher's condition remained critical but had stablised overnight.
Top doctors at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire clinic in Grenoble had faced the press on Monday and Tuesday mornings, each time issuing updates on operations Schumacher had undergone on the previous evenings. Kehm said that the best current use of the doctors' time was assisting Schumacher and their other patients.
Schumacher's homepage, which was forced offline by the number of Internet users trying to access it in the aftermath of his accident, was reorganized on Wednesday to simply show a message of thanks from the family in English and German.
It was reported that a journalist disguised as a priest had attempted to gain access to Schumacher's room in a twisted plot to gain an exclusive, but was thankfully refused entry and exposed.
30/12/13
10:35 pm
As Michael Schumacher spends a second night in a French hospital, messages of support from some of the world's most famous names continued to pour in.
One of those who wished the German star well is former American president Bill Clinton.
30/12/13
9:40 pm
Niki Lauda, the former Formula One world champion, told of his "disbelief " over Schumacher's accident.
The former Ferrari great who won three world titles, told the Guardian: "I find it completely shocking and unexplainable why this great driver, who won seven championships in over 300 races and stayed alive, could have something like this happen to him. It's tragic.
"He was the greatest driver of them all, with seven titles."
30/12/13
8:43 pm
The Mirror released a video of the moment Michael Schumacher was airlifted off the French Alps after his accident.
Dozens of skiers can be seen watching the helicopter take off surrounded by a plume of snow in the resort of Meribel.
As reported by www.ledauphine.com, witness Jerome Delmau, who arrived on scene minutes after the accident, took the footage of the moment he was rescued.
30/12/13
7:45 pm
Michael Schumacher’s helmet almost certainly saved his life and leisure skiers should always wear head protection, said the man behind the main safety measures in Alpine skiing.
"Without a helmet, Michael Schumacher would be dead," Guenter Hujara, said men’s Alpine skiing World Cup director.
"Schumacher’s injury is of the same sort as those suffered in recent seasons by (Swiss Daniel) Albrecht or (Austria’s Johan) Grugger. They were seriously injured but they came out of it and went on to live a normal life," said Hujara.
"Schumacher didn’t go as fast as they did so he has a good chance. Athletes have the strength to overcome such bad times."
30/12/13
5:59 pm
BBC's landmark motoring show Top Gear tweeted its support to Schumacher.
The F1 legend has appeared on the show, masquerading as The Stig.
Along with its message of support, the show's tweet also included a picture of Schumacher when he appeared in front of the cameras.
30/12/13
5:39 pm
Fans had been gathering outside the hospital where he is being treated.
Some even brought flags in support of the driver.
Fans gather to show their support for the seven-time champion.
30/12/13
4:47 pm
Status report:
  • At a press conference that morning, doctors confirmed that Schumacher is fighting for his life
  • They said he is in an 'artificial coma' and his situation was considered to be 'critical'
  • They also confirmed they cannot give any indication about his future condition
  • Support poured in for Schumacher from around the world
  • This includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel, F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and Nigel Mansell
  • Schumacher's family have remained at his bedside all day after yesterday's accident
30/12/13
4:30 pm
Tweets in support of Schumacher were not only coming from the sporting world.
The 44-year-old German had former and current F1 stars offering their best wishes, as well as footballers and other sporting stars.
He even has the thoughts and best wishes of former Baywatch star and singer David Hasselhoff.
30/12/13
3:46 pm
Mark Webber has just joined Schumacher in retirement after a wonderful career in the sport of which he can be proud.
He took time to send his best wishes to the F1 legend.

30/12/13
3:15 pm
Juan Pablo Montoya was one of Schumacher's fiercest rivals during the German's Ferrari years.
And he sent his best wishes to the former F1 star.

30/12/13
2:32 pm
Footballers took time out to express their support for Schumacher.
Jack Wilshere, below, said his thoughts are with the 44-year-old's family, while Peter Odemwingie wrote: "I join those praying for Schumacher. Hope he recovers soon."
The torrent of support showed that the German's brilliance in F1 is remembered fondly from those across all sports and all parts of the world, and further cements his position as one of sport's legends.

30/12/13
2:14 pm
Nigel Mansell, who retired in F1 in the year of Schumacher's second world title, has also expressed his sadness.

30/12/13
2:06 pm
By this time, the mayor of Schumacher's home town of Kerpen, near Cologne, had also sent her support to the former racing driver.
Marlies Sieburg said in a statement: "My thoughts are with him and his family and I wish him together with the citizens of Kerpen all possible good wishes and a quick recovery."
30/12/13
2:04 pm
Jeremy Clarkson, of BBC's Top Gear, had an alternative take on Schumacher's injury.
His colleague, fellow Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond, of course recovered from a very serious brain injury a few years ago.
He added: "In other words, it's possible after even a big brain bang to go back to exactly how you were before."

30/12/13
1:29 pm
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, was also shocked by the news of his accident.
Her spokesman Steffen Seibert told the German media: "Like millions of Germans, the Chancellor and the members of the Federal Government were very shocked when they learned of Michael Schumacher's bad skiing accident.
"We hope, along with Michael Schumacher and his family, that his injuries will heal and he will recover. We wish his wife, his children and the rest of his family strength and mutual support."
30/12/13
1:05 pm
Current world champion Sebastian Vettel also expressed his sadness after the accident.
Vettel, who doesn't have a Twitter account, told bilde.de: "I am shocked and I hope that he gets better as quickly as possible," the four-time champion Vettel told www.bild.de.
"I wish his family much strength."
And Ferrari, with whom Schumacher won five world titles, released a statement saying: "Everyone at Ferrari has been in a state of anxiety since hearing about Michael Schumacher's accident.
"That includes the president, Luca Di Montezemolo, who through the Scuderia team principal Stefano Domenicali is in constant contact with the family and those close to the German champion.
"Montezemolo has offered his encouragement and support at this very difficult time, with the hope that better news will come soon."
30/12/13
11:20 am
Twelve minutes later, the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team released a statement.
It read: "Following the serious injuries sustained by Michael Schumacher in a skiing accident yesterday in France, the thoughts and sympathies of all at Mercedes-Benz Motorsport and the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team are with Michael, his family and friends.
"We have been shocked to learn that he is in a critical condition and are closely monitoring the latest medical bulletins from Grenoble.
"We all know the depth of Michael's fighting spirit and send him all our strength and support in this latest battle.
"We sincerely hope that he will make a full recovery and be with us again soon."
30/12/13
11:08 am
Schumacher's former - and final - F1 team Mercedes tweeted their support for their ex-driver.
The seven-time world champ raced with the German outfit between 2010 and 2012, after which he retired.
The team said: "All thoughts and prayers are with Michael and his family at this time. We are monitoring closely the latest medical bulletins from Grenoble."
30/12/13
10:49 am
Traumatic brain injury specialist Tony Belli told ITV's Daybreak programme: "You're dealing with a swollen brain, and often the brain bleeds quite easily.
"The brain is very friable and it obviously has to be handled with a lot of care, particularly when it's swollen - it can actually sustain further damage during the operation itself.
"The bleeding in itself could be quite serious because, unfortunately, when the brain has been bruised, it can carry on bleeding for quite some time during the surgery itself."
30/12/13
10:20 am
And The Mirror issued a report following the press conference.
The summary was that Schumacher remains in intensive care and his condition was critical.
10:01 am
A minute past 10am, the press conference began;
"When he arrived he had a serious brain injury and was in a coma," says the first speaker.
"He still remains in a critical condition."
The professor adds: "He was immediately operated on after the first scan."
"For the moment we are not able to express ourselves in regards to Michael Schumacher's future.
"He's been given an artificial coma.
"His situation is considered to be critical.
"He was operated on only once.
"We're not able to speak about after-effects, just treatment. We're working hour-by-hour."
"His condition is considered to be extremely serious and he's intensive care.
"We're working altogether day and night by his bedside but it's far too early in terms of prognosis.
"His helmet did protect him."
Someone asked whether the fact he is a sportsman will help with his recovery -
"Well, that's possible, yes."
He adds: "We are in contact with the family - his family are by his bedside.
"We don't intend to carry out a second operation - we don't feel it's necessary at the moment."
Questions rolled in, principally concerning more detailed information on his condition, as well as any predictions with regard to his prognosis, to which the response was that he was "Fighting for his life ... the violence with which he hit ground, if he hadn't had a helmet, he wouldn't be here now."
The head of the hospital opened by saying: "I can't answer any technical questions.
"I'd like to thank them [colleagues].
"They are working hour by hour.
He went on to say that it's not that the doctors don't want to say anymore, it's that they can't say anymore at the moment.
One of the doctors stated: "We think that the shock must have taken place at high speed.
"At the time of the accident he was agitated and not responding to questions."
He added: "I certainly can't tell you what direction we're heading in.
"Today we wanted to tell you about his current state of health.. we can't go above and beyond that current information.
"There isn't a general case. There are a number of traumas from the most benign to the most serious."
30/12/13
9:35 am
Jenson Button also sent out a message of support to the seven-time world champion on Twitter.
"My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher at this tough time.. Michael more than anyone has the strength to pull through this," he said.
Paul Di Resta: "Terrible news about MSC, thinking of him and his family. Hoping for better news and that he can pull through #getwellsoon."
And Felipe Massa posted an Instagram picture with the Portuguese message: "I'm praying for God to protect you, brother."
In English, he wrote: "I hope you have a quick recovery! God bless you, Michael!"

30/12/13
9:17 am
For all the money that surrounds F1 - and the huge worldwide audience it attracts - the sport's group of drivers, mechanics and other workers are all very close.
Over the 24 hours that passed from the time of the accident, a huge wave of support for Schumacher and his family had erupted on social media.
Fernando Alonso - driver at Schumacher's former team Ferrari - showed his support.
30/12/13
8:47 am
By this time reports began to surface in the French media that Schumacher had a second operation overnight.
Responding to that thought, Gary Hartstein writes: "Rumors of a 2nd operation would ofc not be welcome news. Will actively repress that thought until later if necessary."
However at this point there was no official confirmation of this, and the media would have to wait until the statement from the hospital that was expected later in the morning.
30/12/13
8:23 am
Former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein was incredibly informative in delivering a medical perspective on Schumacher's injury.
He wrote: "Not surprising at all to wait to 1000h GMT. Gives docs a chance to do rounds, see new CT scans, check blood results. That is perfectly fine.
"What we want to hear is: 1) off or starting to come off the respirator. 2) intracranial pressure staying normal. If we hear this, we're ok."
30/12/13
7:49 am
Schumacher has received an outpouring of support from the racing world, including from British F1 former world champion Jenson Button, who urged him to pull through.
"My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher at this tough time.
"Michael, more than anyone, has the strength to pull through this," he tweeted.
30/12/13
7:10 am
The lack of information on Schumacher's condition by this time was adding to the anxiety of fans worldwide.
An announcement from the hospital was speculated to materialise at 10am.
30/12/13
7:09 am
Joe Calzaghe saluted a fellow "champion" in Michael Schumacher.
The Welsh boxer took to Twitter to voice his sadness at hearing of the racing legend's skiing accident.
30/12/13
3:57 am
A world-reknowned neurosurgeon  described the sort of brain injuries racing legend Michael Schumacher may have suffered following his skiing accident.

30/12/13
2:46 am
On the subject of Schumacher's head injury - Jean-Luc Trowel, professor of neurology, told French TV: “What is possible is that there is a worsening after the first minutes. There are opportunities for aggravation if a haematoma or cerebral edema develops."
He said the priority was to see clinical doctors and subsequently be assessed by a scanner and MRI.
“It can accurately determine whether or not to do surgery," he said.
“The news is a long time coming because the establishment of a prognosis in the early hours is very difficult. Often, physicians and surgeons are quite reserved."
30/12/13
2:28 am
Even fans of of retired British racing driver Damon Hill - Schumacher's arch-rival on the track during his 1990s hey day - took to Twitter to offer their prayers in support of the German.
Schumacher famously collided with Hill's car during the last race of the season in 1994, with the Briton only a point behind him in the drivers' championship.
But any past grievances were put to one side as Hill fans waited anxiously with millions of others for news of Schumacher's condition.

30/12/13
1:45 am
Formula 1 legend Mario Andretti joined the list of famous names to voice his fears for Michael Schumacher.
Andretti, who raced for Lotus, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari in the 1970s and early 80s, said he was as "anxious as everyone."

30/12/13
12:57 am
By this point, it is thought that Michael Schumacher may face the prospect of months of rehabilitation following his head injury.
According to Headway, the Brain Injury Association, "all that is certain is that recovery is a slow process and will take months or years rather than weeks."
"Six months after the injury the picture will be clearer, but it is wise to wait until about a year after the accident before making any important decisions regarding the future."
"After a year or so one can be reasonably certain about the eventual degree of physical recovery. However, psychological recovery can take considerably longer."
30/12/13
12:24 am
Former Scotland international footballer Don Hutchinson tweeted that he was "scared to go to sleep" in case he woke up to find out that Michael Schumacher had died
30/12/13
12:13 am
Young German F1 driver Nico Hülkenberg tweeted his support for Michael Schumacher:
29/12/13
11:56 pm
29/12/13
11:35 pm
29/12/13
11:11 pm
Support continued to grow for Michael Schumacher through social media.
Sir Alan Sugar tweeted his support to the racing legend.
And broadcaster Piers Morgan also added his best wishes.
Golfer Ian Poulter also wished the 44-year-old well.
29/12/13
10:47 pm
The University Hospital of Grenoble issued a statement which confirms the 44-year-old is in a coma.
"Mr Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40pm, following a skiing accident which occurred in Meribel in the late morning," the statement said.
"He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation."
29/12/13
10:38 pm
As the news saturated the media, multiple celebrities began to show their support
Former British racing driver Martin Brundle urged the German to keep fighting.
Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood also offered his support.
29/12/13
10:22 pm
Hospital sources stated that the Formula 1 legend's wife, Corinna, son, Mick, 14, with whom he was skiing when he fell, and daughter Gina-Marie were all at his bedside.
Surgeon Professor Gerard Saillant, a personal friend, dashed from Paris to the hospital to treat the German.
29/12/13
10:19 pm
This is the hospital in Grenoble where Schumacher is being treated.
Fans had gathered outside and more were on the way as news of his condition deteriorating spreads.
This is the hospital in which Schumacher is being treated.
29/12/13
10:13 pm
Schumacher's condition was of notable concern to the medical professionals.
It was initially reported that the seven-time world champion was "shaken but pretty OK" .
It was also stated that Schumacher did not lose consciousness and was taken off the mountain within seven minutes of the accident, however this conflicted with an earlier report which stated he had momentarily lost consciousness.
29/12/13
10:04 pm
By this time the AFP news agency had reported that Schumacher's management team had said that he suffered a "head trauma with coma, which required immediate neurosurgical treatment."
29/12/13
9:54 pm
With news of Schumacher's decline, a well-respected specialist neurosurgeon has been drafted into the hospital in Grenoble, France.
The surgeon took charge of Schumacher's treatment.
29/12/13
9:50 pm
By this time, Schumacher's condition had been viewed as sufficiently serious as to put him into a medically induced coma.
Support is pouring in for him from the sporting world.
Tennis player Sabine Lisicki said: "Uhh, just heard about the terrible accident of Michael Schumacher... Get well soon!!
Footballer Lukas Podolski tweeted: "Bad news from Switzerland: please get well soon, Michael Schumacher. All the best for you, my friend! "
29/12/13
9:40 pm
By this point it had come to light that Schumacher had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage.
An official statement in respect of this had yet to be issued by his spokeswoman Sabine Kehm or the medical staff.
Speaking earlier, Sabine Kehm had said: "Michael fell on his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the French Alps.
"He was taken to hospital and is receiving professional medical attention.
"We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information about his health.
"He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. No one else was involved in the fall."
29/12/13
9:25 pm
Sadly by this time, Schumacher's condition had worsened.
A respected local French newspaper Dauphine Libere reported that the German's life was in danger.
A report filed at 7.20pm read: 'The state of health of the veteran driver has worsened and his condition is considered life-threatening, according to our information'. 
The Dauphine is one of the most respected papers in the Alps, and has outstanding medical contacts.
An hour before, a surgeon specialising in brain and spinal injuries had arrived at the hospital where Schumacher was being treated for what was quoted as being a 'very serious' head injury.
29/12/13
6:29 pm
At around 6:30pm, some more detailed information regarding his accident came to light;
Olivier Desaulty, a spokesman for Meribel Alpina, the ski lift company, said: “Some skiers, who were not skiing with him, saw the accident and called us.
"We immediately sent two ski patrols on skis. They had been waiting to do a check on something and were close by.
“They checked him and called a helicopter. Apparently he was briefly - a minute or so - unconscious. But he came around quickly and was then talking.
“He said he had hit his head on a rock. He was wearing a helmet fortunately. The helicopter arrived very quickly and he was taken to hospital.”
Schumacher was skiing in an unmarked area between two well-used but very difficult ski runs.
After being evacuated to a hospital in nearby Moutiers, Schumacher was transferred to a bigger trauma unit in Grenoble, 80 miles away.
29/12/13
4:57 pm
The situation by 4:57pm: Michael Schumacher suffered a head injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps today.
The seven-time Formula One world champion crashed while skiing in the resort of Meribel and was airlifted to hospital.
The 44-year-old German retired from F1 for the final time in 2012 after a three-season comeback with Mercedes.
Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he hit his head.
The former racing driver's spokeswomen Sabine Kehm said in a statement: "Michael fell on his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the French Alps.
"He was taken to hospital and is receiving professional medical attention.
"We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information about his health.
"He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. No one else was involved in the fall."
The director of the Meribel resort was quoted as saying the injury, which happened at 11.07am local time, was "not very serious".
Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte said on rmcsport.bfmtv.com: "It was a pretty heavy fall at 1100 this morning while skiing off piste. He was wearing a helmet. He was conscious after his fall.
"Two or three minutes later two ski patrol intervened to help him. They immediately asked for a medical evacuation helicopter. It arrived in less than 15 minutes. He was sent to Moutiers first, then on to Grenoble for more analysis."
29/12/13
3:10 pm
The former racing driver's spokeswomen Sabine Kehm said in a statement: "Michael fell on his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the French Alps.
"He was taken to hospital and is receiving professional medical attention.
"We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information about his health.
"He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. No one else was involved in the fall."
29/12/13
2:53 pm
According to the French Mountain Gendarmerie, Schumacher was wearing a helmet when fell and sustained a "relatively serious" head injury.
He was reportedly treated at a local hospital near Meribel before being transferred to hospital in Grenoble.
There were, at this stage, conflicting reports as to where Schumacher was when he suffered a hard fall.
Resort director Christophe Gernigon-Lecomte told the French RMC radio he was skiing off-piste while the Gendarmerie said he was on a trail.
29/12/13
1:05 pm
Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte, the director of Meribel informed the media that the injury was "not very serious," 
"He crashed at 11:07, off-piste, in Meribel.
"He was wearing a helmet and crashed into a rock.
"The emergency services reacted quickly, at 11:15... He was heli-lifted to Moûtier hospital."
"He was shocked, a little worried, but conscious.
"It could possibly be a cranial injury but it is not very serious."
29/12/13
12:57 pm
French radio station RMC reported that Schumacher was heli-lifted to hospital after a serious collision.
The director of the ski station had admitted though that he "did not know the severity of the injury."
He added: "The police are currently conducting their investigation into the origins of the fall.
At this point it was not known whether the fall took place on-piste or off-piste.
29/12/13
12:52 pm
Former Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher was reported to have been seriously hurt in a skiing accident, according to reports in France.
French media organisation Europe 1 reported that the 44-year-old had been taken to hospital in Grenoble after sustaining a head injury.
The accident was reported to have happened while the German was skiing in Meribel, a high-end ski resort in the French Alps.
Widely regarded as one of the all-time great F1 drivers, Schumacher retired from the sport for a second time 12 months ago.


Article by Chris Kinsman
MyF1World Journalist.
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