Michael Schumacher shows slight improvement, situation still “fragile”
Schumacher has been hospitalized in critical condition since Sunday, when he fell and struck his head against a rock while skiing in the French Alps. The auto-racing legend, who turns 45 on Friday, has been in a medically induced coma since undergoing surgery to relieve intercranial pressure shortly after the fall. A brain scan Monday showed that pressure had unexpectedly eased in his brain and doctors at Grenoble University Hospital decided to remove one of the larger and more accessible hematomas on the left side of his brain.
“We cannot say it’s over. We can say there are highs and lows,” Emmanuel Gay, the hospital’s chief of neurology told reporters Tuesday, ” … but it’s a bit better than it was [Monday].”
Gay indicated that a number of hematomas (bruises or blood pools) on Schumacher’s brain remain and are being monitored. “Compared to yesterday, the situation has improved, but it remains fragile and critical,” Jean-Francois Payen, an anesthesiologist and head of the intensive care unit, added (via the Guardian), “We cannot say that he is out of danger. The surgery bought us more time. The situation can improve as well as worsen.”
A
general view of the “Biche” and “Chamois” ski runs at Saulire mountain
near Meribel in the French Alps. This believed to be the area in which
Schumacher fell. (David Ebener / EPA)
“We cannot tell you any more about the future,” Gerard Saillant, a family friend who is in Grenoble and is a surgeon, told the Associated Press.
Schumacher, the most successful driver in Formula One history with seven world titles and 91 victories, was skiing with his 14-year-old son, Mick, when he fell during an off-piste (off course) run at Meribel. He was wearing a helmet, which doctors credited with saving his life. His manager, Sabine Kehm, said that the helmet had cracked on impact. “It looks like probably that initiating a corner, he was hitting a stone which he had not seen and was catapulted down on a rock,” Kehm said (via the AP). “That is extremely and very unfortunate … really very, very bad luck. Michael was not at high speed.”
Michael Schumacher’s helmet cam footage shows Formula One great skiing off trail, investigators say
Schumacher, 45, the most successful Formula One driver in history, is still in critical condition in a medically induced coma at a hospital in Grenoble. The impact of the crash split his helmet in two and doctors say the protective gear saved his life.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 10:45 AM
Claude Paris/AP
Albertville prosecutor Patrick Quincy, surrounded by investigators,
gives a statement during a media conference revealing the findings of
two minutes of footage from Michael Schumacher's helmet cam.
ALBERTVILLE, France (AP) — Two minutes of footage from a camera on Michael Schumacher’s
ski helmet showed the Formula One great was clearly skiing off a
groomed trail when he lost his balance and crashed, leaving him with
critical head injuries, investigators said Wednesday.
The investigators said they have ruled out problems with his skis, trail conditions or signage. Although they would not estimate Schumacher’s speed, they said it was not considered a significant factor in the Dec. 29 crash at Meribel in the French Alps.
RELATED: FORMULA ONE DRIVER SLAMMED FOR SKIING PICS
“His pace was completely normal for a skilled skier,” said Lt. Col. Benoit Vinneman.
Schumacher, 45, the most successful Formula One driver in history, is
still in critical condition in a medically induced coma at a hospital in
Grenoble. The impact of the crash split his helmet in two and doctors
say the protective gear saved his life.
RELATED: SCHUMACHER REACHES 45TH BIRTHDAY COMATOSE
Prosecutor Patrick Quincy said experts still need to go through the
footage image by image, but he said Schumacher landed 9 meters (30 feet)
outside the marked trail after falling face down and striking his head
on a rock.
Schumacher had been on a family vacation in Meribel, where he owns a chalet.
RELATED: MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S HELMET CAMERA HANDED OVER TO INVESTIGATORS
“Michael Schumacher is a good skier who knows Meribel,” Quincy said.
Skiers and snowboarders continue to use the off-piste zone where Schumacher crashed, but say they know they need to be careful.
RELATED: SCHUMACHER’S WIFE: LEAVE US AND HOSPITAL ALONE
British tourist Steve Bovill said he always wears a helmet. Speaking
from the sunny mountainside, he said, “It was an accident that could
have happened to anyone.”
Quincy said the investigation, which is standard after any major skiing accident, had no deadline and was intended to discover what happened, not necessarily fix blame. Without specifying, he said authorities plan to interview more witnesses.
The investigators said they have ruled out problems with his skis, trail conditions or signage. Although they would not estimate Schumacher’s speed, they said it was not considered a significant factor in the Dec. 29 crash at Meribel in the French Alps.
RELATED: FORMULA ONE DRIVER SLAMMED FOR SKIING PICS
“His pace was completely normal for a skilled skier,” said Lt. Col. Benoit Vinneman.
TORU TAKAHASHI/AP
The Formula One great remains in critical condition following a skiing accident in France.
RELATED: SCHUMACHER REACHES 45TH BIRTHDAY COMATOSE
Schumacher had been on a family vacation in Meribel, where he owns a chalet.
EMMANUEL FOUDROT/REUTERS
A general view shows an off-piste area with rocks between the slopes 'Chamois' (l.) and 'Biche' (r.) where seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is supposed to have been injured in a skiing accident in the ski resort of Meribel.
“Michael Schumacher is a good skier who knows Meribel,” Quincy said.
Skiers and snowboarders continue to use the off-piste zone where Schumacher crashed, but say they know they need to be careful.
RELATED: SCHUMACHER’S WIFE: LEAVE US AND HOSPITAL ALONE
PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images
Corinna Schumacher (c.), the wife of the German champion, has asked for the media and fans to back away to allow doctors to focus on her husband's recovery.
Quincy said the investigation, which is standard after any major skiing accident, had no deadline and was intended to discover what happened, not necessarily fix blame. Without specifying, he said authorities plan to interview more witnesses.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/helmet-cam-shows-schumacher-skiing-trail-crash-article-1.1569695#ixzz2ptgJQ1UM
LLC 501C- 4 UCC 1-308.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Content and Programming Copyright 2014 By Patcnews The Patriot Conservative News Tea Party Network © LLC UCC 1-308.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WITHOUT PREJUDICE All copyrights reserved By Patcnews The Patriot Conservative News Tea Party Network Copyright 2014 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. © All Copyrights reserved By Patcnews The Patriot Conservative News Tea Party Network
No comments:
Post a Comment