Michael Schumacher turns 45 while comatose in French hospital
Conflicting statements about the speed the seven-time world racing champion was going when the tragedy occurred
Formula One legend Michael Schumacher turns 45 on Friday while lying comatose in a French hospital after suffering critical head injuries in a ski accident.
Doctors and family members were tight-lipped on Thursday about the condition of the German racing great, who has been hospitalised since Sunday, when he slammed his head against a rock while skiing in the French Alps.
There have been conflicting statements about the speed the seven-time world racing champion was going when the tragedy befell him in the Meribel ski resort, where he has a property. The rock impact split the helmet Schumacher was wearing in two, according to a source close to the investigation.
He seems to have hit a rock as he took a turn. It was a chain of unfortunate circumstances.He was not going quickly, because it seems he helped a friend who had fallen down
The Ferrari F1 team where Schumacher spent many years announced it would on Friday hold a “silent gathering” in front of the Grenoble hospital for the birthday of the retired sportsman, who is being kept in an induced coma.
Jean Todt, former head of the team, was at Schumacher’s bedside on Thursday along with Schumacher’s wife Corinna.
The hospital and Schumacher’s manager had briefed the press daily since the accident. But they did not do so on Thursday, instead promising to communicate only if there was something new to report.
Schumacher has had two operations to remove bleeding and pressure on his brain.
His media representative, Sabine Kehm, said on Wednesday Schumacher was stable though still critical.
