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Schumacher's condition improves | Schumacher's condition improves |
(35 minutes later) | |
Former motor racing champion Michael Schumacher's condition has improved slightly after an operation to relieve pressure on his brain, his doctors have said. | |
A new scan taken overnight showed signs that he was "better than yesterday", but he was still "not out of danger", doctors said. | |
The seven-time Formula 1 champion suffered head injuries on Sunday in a skiing accident in the French Alps. | The seven-time Formula 1 champion suffered head injuries on Sunday in a skiing accident in the French Alps. |
He was put in a medically-induced coma. | He was put in a medically-induced coma. |
An initial scan on Monday night showed "an improved situation" and indicated a window of opportunity for a second operation, doctors said. | |
The family took the "difficult decision" to give consent for the procedure, and doctors operated on Schumacher for about two hours. | |
A subsequent scan revealed a "slight improvement". | |
"We can't say he is out of danger but... we have gained a bit of time,'' said Dr Jean-Francois Payen. "The coming hours are crucial." | |
"But all the family is very much aware that his state is still sensitive and anything can happen." | |
'Extremely shocked' | |
The driver had been skiing off-piste with his teenage son when he fell and hit his head on a rock. | |
He was first evacuated to a hospital in the nearby town of Moutiers. | |
Prof Chabardes said the driver was in an "agitated condition" on arrival in Moutiers and his neurological condition "deteriorated rapidly". | |
He was taken from Moutiers to the larger facility in Grenoble. | |
Messages of support have come from around the world. | |
A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she and her government were, like millions of Germans, "extremely shocked". | |
"We hope, with Michael Schumacher and with his family, that he can overcome and recover from his injuries," the spokesman said. | |
Former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, who recovered from life-threatening head injuries he suffered at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, wrote on Instagram: "I am praying for you my brother! I hope you have a quick recovery! God bless you, Michael." | |
On Monday some fans had gathered outside the hospital in Grenoble. | |
Nuravil Raimbekov, a student from Kyrgyzstan who is studying nearby, described Schumacher as an inspiration. | |
"I'm worried, of course... but I still hope, and I will pray for him," he said. | |
Schumacher is held in a great deal of affection in the area, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Grenoble. He is seen as a kind and generous man who has done a lot for charity. | |
The former champion, who turns 45 on 3 January, retired from F1 for a second time in 2012. | |
He won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during his 19-year career. | |
The driver won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000. | |
He retired in 2006, and was seriously hurt in a motorcycling accident in Spain three years later, during which he suffered neck and spine injuries. | |
Schumacher managed to recover and made a comeback in F1 with Mercedes in 2010. | |
After three seasons which yielded just one podium finish, he quit the sport at the end of last year. |