F1: F1 Champ left fighting for life after skiing accident

7 times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher was hurt in a skiing accident when he fell and hit his head on a rock. He was skiing off-piste with his 14-year-old son, in the Meribel resort, where he reportedly owns a property. The 44 year old German is suffering a “serious brain trauma with coma” as a result of the accident, and immediate neurosurgical operation was required. He remains in a critical condition. Originally, Schumacher was air lifted to a nearby hospital, only to be brought to the better-equipped Grenoble facility when his injuries where more severe than previously thought. A renowned Parisian neurologist, Gerard Saillant, was escorted to the Grenoble hospital in a police car treat the star.

OneShift Editorial Team

30 Dec 2013

Christophe Gernigon-Lecomte, the director of the Meribel resort, said that Schumacher had been wearing a helmet at the point of the accident and was "conscious but a little agitated" after it, suggesting that he had not received life-threatening injuries. When Schumacher fell into a coma, doctors realised that the damage was a lot worse than initially thought.

Two mountain police officers gave first aid to Schumacher before he was hospitalised, and said he was suffering "severe cranial trauma" when they reached the site. A helicopter was brought in and ferried him away from the scene in 10 minutes. His wife and children are at the hospital with Michael.

Police had to be deployed to keep guard at the hospital's entrances to keep fans and journalists out. Schumacher, who has scooped up 7 titles in the duration of his career, last of which was won in 2004, has the most number of wins and titles of any F1 driver so far.

He retired last year at the Brazilian Grand Prix after returning to the sport in 2010 with Mercedes, adding an extra pole position and podium to his excellent record. That was the best he could do though, as the combination of better cars and faster reflexes of his younger rivals meant that Schumacher stood little chance towards the like of the Red Bull, Ferrari and Mclaren, due to the difference in performance.

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