Michael Schumacher has been airlifted to hospital after suffering a head injury whilst skiing in the French Alps resort of Meribel.
The seven-time F1 champion is believed to have fallen whilst skiing on unmarked slopes and hit his head on a rock.
Whilst early reports suggest the 44-year-old sustained a “serious head injury”, it is believed to be less serious than originally thought as he was wearing a helmet at the time.
After the incident, a medical team were on site within minutes according to a witness and Schumacher was airlifted to the local Moutiers hospital before being transferred to a larger facility in Grenoble. He was conscious throughout.
Gernignon Christophe Lecomte, director of the resort told Radio Monte Carlo Sport that his injury is “not very serious” and that the German was “shocked, a little shaken but conscious.”
However the local mountain guard said the injury was “relatively serious” but his life is not in danger.
Schumacher’s manager, Sabine Kehm, confirmed the incident took place but didn’t give further details on his health.
“Michael fell on his head during a private ski trip in the French Alps,” she said in a statement.
“He was hospitalised and is receiving medical care. We ask for your understanding that we cannot give a running commentary on his state of health.”
A close friend of Schumacher, Professor Gerard Saillant, has flown to the hospital to aid doctors treating him. Saillant is an expert in brain and spine injuries and treated Schumacher when he broke his leg at the 1999 British GP.
All our thoughts to Schumi and his family ! Hope you will recover soon. #legend #Schumi
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) December 29, 2013
I hope Michael Schumacher will get well soon! All my best to him and his family #gutebesserung
— Adrian Sutil (@SutilAdrian) December 29, 2013
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