Michael Schumacher to be kept in artificial coma

Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher is to remain in an artificially-induced coma as doctors fight to save his life following a skiing accident. The retired racing driver fell and hit his head during a family skiing trip in Meribel, France on Sunday (29Dec13) and he is currently in a critical condition at The Grenoble University Hospital Center.
Schumacher’s doctors addressed the media on Monday morning (30Dec13) to give an update on the sportsman’s condition, revealing the accident was “particularly serious” and he suffered bruising to the brain, a blood clot and significant swelling.
Professor Jean-Francois Payen explained that Schumacher underwent an operation to treat the clot and relive pressure, and he will now remain in an artificially-induced coma.
Payen said, “This accident was particularly serious… he was operated on immediately after a brain scan. For the moment we are not able to express ourselves as to Michael Schumacher’s future. He has been induced into an artificial coma… he is having treatment to limit cerebral haematoma… The situation is considered to be critical… we are working hour by hour. His condition is considered to be extremely serious… It’s far too early to be able to say anything as far as prognosis is concerned…The family is at his bedside.”
Payen also dismissed media reports suggesting Schumacher underwent a second operation since his admission to the hospital, and insisted the helmet he was wearing saved his life.
A number of stars from the world of sport have since taken to Twitter.com to express their shock following the accident, including Schumacher’s former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, fellow Formula 1 ace Jenson Button, racing driver Dario Franchitti, boxer Joe Calzaghe, and British soccer stars Gary Lineker and Michael Owen.