“And then afterwards his condition is critical. As for cerebral care, all
the recommended treatments have been introduced and for the moment we are
not able to express ourselves with regards to Michael Schumacher’s future.”
He said the driver’s helmet had protected him to a “certain extent”
from the “very violent shock”.
“Taking into consideration the very violent shock, his helmet did protect
him to a certain extent, of course. Somebody who would have this kind of
accident without a helmet certainly, he would not have got to here,” he
said.
Professor Stephan Chabardes, the neurosurgeon who operated on the F1 star,
told the news conference: “Mr Schumacher was taken by helicopter very
quickly to Grenoble Hospital. On his arrival we examined him clinically and
we realised he was in a serious condition, in a coma, with in fact cranial
pressure.
“The brain scan showed a number of pieces of information, some
intercranial haematoma but also some cerebral contusions and oedema.
“We operated urgently to try to eliminate the haematoma. After the
operation we saw that we had been able to eliminate these haematoma but also
sadly the appearance of various bilateral lesions.
“So therefore he was taken to intensive care to try to help.”
Prof Payen said the hospital did not intend to carry out a second operation.
“We don’t feel it is necessary at the moment,” he said.
Schumacher’s family are at his bedside.
His spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said earlier in a statement: “Michael fell on
his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the French Alps.
“We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information
about his health.
Schumacher has received an outpouring of support from the racing world,
including from British F1 former world champion Jenson Button, who urged him
to pull through.
“My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher at this tough time. Michael,
more than anyone, has the strength to pull through this,” he tweeted.