Michael Schumacher in Critical Condition After Ski Accident

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher survived 307 F1 races, winning 91 of them, and his racing career was not without serious accidents. But it was a family ski trip to France that has caused the most serious injury yet for the 44-year-old German. Schumacher was skiing on an unmarked trail with his 14-year-old son at a resort in Méribel in the French Alps on Sunday morning, and reportedly fell and hit his head on a rock. It’s said that Schumacher was wearing a helmet.

He was rescued by two members of the ski patrol, and promptly airlifted to a hospital in Moutiers, then transferred to another in Grenoble better equipped to handle head trauma. While initial reports insisted the accident was not serious, the news became more ominous as day turned to night. As Europe went to sleep, its presses printed headlines like The Mirror‘s: “Michael Schumacher Fighting For His Life.”

This is a story that can and will change hourly, but at this point it’s understood that Schumacher underwent emergency brain surgery, and while early reports said he was conscious, subsequent ones confirmed he was in a a coma upon arrival in Grenoble.



“Mr. Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40 p.m., following a skiing accident which occurred in Meribel in the late morning,” said a statement issued by the hospital. “He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention.”

As of this writing, he remains in critical condition, with his family is by his side. He has been married to his wife, Corinna, since 1995, and has one son and one daughter.

Meanwhile, friends and fellow competitors are sending out their prayers and best wishes. “My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher at this tough time,” tweeted Jenson Button. “Michael more than anyone has the strength to pull through this.” German driver Nico Hülkenberg said,”All our prayers to the world champion Michael Schumacher, get well soon.”

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Schumacher reportedly developed a love for skiing later in life, but typical of a top athlete, mastered it quickly and enjoyed competing in even the most informal of races. It was also typical of him, friends said, to seek out ski slopes that are away from the typical chartered courses.

Schumacher, whose 45th birthday is Friday, retired from F1 after the 2012 season, for the second and final time. His first race was the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix. Icy and sharply focused, Schumacher never sought the spotlight, preferring the company of family and his few close friends. In interviews, he gave journalists what they asked for: seldom less, but rarely more. His career was marked with dark moments, when his competitiveness could make him downright sinister on the track, but as he matured, he seemed more at ease with himself and the atmosphere of the paddock.

We’ll have more news on Michael Schumacher’s condition as it becomes available.



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To think that he survived after all the years of being an F1 driver, it will really suck if he goes down from a skiing accident. I pray that he'll be alright, too many people have left us this year.

 

Man, it doesn't sound good right now. I'm a huge fan of the guy, the reason I watched F1. I quit watching F1 after Mika and him retired. I hope to god he'll make it through.

 

Good to hear that he's showing improvements. Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen were the main reasons I ever watched F1. F1 was freaking exciting when they competed with each other. It was delightful to watch them race.

 

Journalists are so inconsiderate, they should be understanding of the family's feelings. I know that they are only doing their job but they also should have sympathy.

 

This is indeed a very sad accident, but there is still a good chance that he will pull out of it, given time. My brother-in-law was in a terrible car accident, was smashed up against a tree with his car for almost a day before anyone found him there. he was in a coma for almost a month afterwards, and the doctors told his family that john would probably never wake up, and if he did, he would likely be brain-dead.
When he finally did wake up, his coordination was bad, and he had to re-learn basic skills, like feeding himself; but day by day, he got better, and eventually was even able to play his guitar again.
He might not have been as co-ordinated as he was before the accident, but he was able to go back to work, and live a good life again afterwards; so i believe something like this could still happen in this instance as well.

 

I've just made a thread about this sorry, I didn't know there was a news with the same topic. I am glad he is recovering, I hope he makes a full recovery, but I don't even know if that will be possible or not.