Doctors say Michael Schumacher ‘fighting for his life’

Michael Schumacher, the retired seven-time Formula 1 world titlist, is fighting for his life, his physicians confirmed Monday evening, Dec. 30, from Grenoble, France.

Schumacher, 44, crashed and hit his head on a rock while skiing Sunday in Meribel, France. Although he was wearing a helmet, Schumacher is in critical condition with severe head injuries.

Physicians said Schumacher is in an ‘artificial coma.’  The doctors also said they could not provide any further information about Schumacher’s condition.

Schumacher’s family, including is wife, Corinna, and his teenage son and daughter, have remained at his bedside.

“Unfortunately, he had some lesions to his brain when he came in, he had some diffuse injuries to his brain, but we can’t really say what the outcome will be,” Dr. Jean-Francois Payen, an anesthesiologist leading Schumacher’s medical team at the Grenoble University Hospital Center, told a news conference.

“He’s in a critical situation and we can say he’s fighting for his life. We judge him to be in a very serious condition.” He added, “We are working continuously, hour by hour, but it’s too early to say what’s going to happen, and to give a prognosis.”

Schumacher was skiing with his son, Mick, 14, in an off-trail area between two of the resort’s main ski runs when he fell and struck his head on a rock. The site is part of a wide, treeless snowfield, known for its deep snow and for the challenges.

Schumacher was airlifted from the scene via helicopter to a hospital near the Italian-French border. His physicians detailed the severity of his impact with the rock caused lesions on the right side of his brain. Schumacher would have died had he not been wearing a helmet.

Prayers and related support continues to spread around the globe via social member, including comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and famed driver Nigel Mansell.