The condition of the former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher
has improved slightly after doctors carried out a second operation to
reduce the swelling on his brain following an off piste skiing accident
in the French Alps.
In a press conference at Grenoble hospital on Tuesday doctors said they carried out a two-hour operation to reduce the haematoma on his brain. They said a scan before the procedure had showed a slight improvement, but said they were unable to say the former racing driver was out of danger.
Schumacher spent his second night in hospital as doctors treating the former Formula One driver battle "hour by hour" to save his life after injuries sustained after falling while skiing in the resort of Méribel on Sunday.
Schumacher's wife, Corinna, and their two children, are with him in hospital. So too is Gérard Saillant, a leading brain surgeon from Paris who had rushed to Grenoble on Sunday to be with his former patient and friend.
Doctors said the family had taken the "difficult decision" to go ahead with a second operation when a window of opportunity presented itself. The procedure took place at 10pm on Monday night and had taken two hours.
They said that following the operation there have been "some signs" that Schumacher's condition is "more under control now". While they could not say he is out of danger they have "gained a bit more time in the evolution" of his condition, doctors said.
The gravity of the retired champion's condition prompted figures from across the sporting world to express their shock at the accident and solidarity with a man regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers in Formula One's history.
The current world champion and fellow German Sebastian Vettel, who has been dubbed Baby Schumi by his country's media, led a chorus of support and concern from the sport. "I am shocked and hope that he gets better as quickly as possible. I wish his family much strength."
The British driver Jenson Button, another former world champion, said: "My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher at this tough time. Michael more than anyone has the strength to pull through this."
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said she was "extremely shocked along with millions of Germans".
According to one French media report, the blow to Schumacher's head was so fierce that the helmet cracked. That could not be independently confirmed, but prosecutor Patrice Quincy, based in Albertville, the home of the 1992 Winter Olympics, said: "The victim lost his balance and banged his head extremely violently on small rocks concealed by the snow."
Two ski patrollers arrived at the scene of the accident immediately, Quincy added, a rescue process which soon saw the sportsman taken by helicopter to the nearest hospital at Moûtiers.
Schumacher is thought to have been skiing downhill between two marked pistes below the jagged peaks of the Dent de Burgin when he fell, hitting the right side of his head.
Investigators from the gendarmerie based in the resort of Bourg St Maurice were on Monday on the mountainside attempting to establish the exact circumstances of the accident, which occurred at 2,100m.
After the impact, Schumacher was conscious but "stunned", neurosurgeon Stephan Chabardes said. "He didn't respond to questions after the accident. He didn't have a normal neurological reaction," he told the news conference. By the time he was brought to the hospital at Grenoble, which has an internationally recognised trauma centre, Schumacher was in a coma.
Tony Belli, a consultant neurosurgeon and reader in neurotrauma at Birmingham University, said that Schumacher's age, fitness and psychological strength would help his recovery. "He's got a lot of factors in his favour," he said. "He's more likely than not to make a good recovery, despite all the concerns that have been raised.
From the description of his injuries, it will take weeks, even months to recover, but I do expect him to make a good recovery."
Outside the hospital, fans mingled with television crews as the wait for a further update went on into the night.
Dressed in a red Ferrari cap, jacket and T-shirt, Enzo Debar, 31, said he had come to the hospital "to be close to him, to do what is possible, as a fan. I hope he'll get better. I am sure he will get better, because he's a fighter."
Sharing his hope was Patrick Amatucci, from Grenoble, who had come down with his son. He described Schumacher, whom he had followed from his days with Benetton, as "a great, good man", with greatness in his blood.
In a press conference at Grenoble hospital on Tuesday doctors said they carried out a two-hour operation to reduce the haematoma on his brain. They said a scan before the procedure had showed a slight improvement, but said they were unable to say the former racing driver was out of danger.
Schumacher spent his second night in hospital as doctors treating the former Formula One driver battle "hour by hour" to save his life after injuries sustained after falling while skiing in the resort of Méribel on Sunday.
Schumacher's wife, Corinna, and their two children, are with him in hospital. So too is Gérard Saillant, a leading brain surgeon from Paris who had rushed to Grenoble on Sunday to be with his former patient and friend.
Doctors said the family had taken the "difficult decision" to go ahead with a second operation when a window of opportunity presented itself. The procedure took place at 10pm on Monday night and had taken two hours.
They said that following the operation there have been "some signs" that Schumacher's condition is "more under control now". While they could not say he is out of danger they have "gained a bit more time in the evolution" of his condition, doctors said.
The gravity of the retired champion's condition prompted figures from across the sporting world to express their shock at the accident and solidarity with a man regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers in Formula One's history.
The current world champion and fellow German Sebastian Vettel, who has been dubbed Baby Schumi by his country's media, led a chorus of support and concern from the sport. "I am shocked and hope that he gets better as quickly as possible. I wish his family much strength."
The British driver Jenson Button, another former world champion, said: "My thoughts are with Michael Schumacher at this tough time. Michael more than anyone has the strength to pull through this."
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said she was "extremely shocked along with millions of Germans".
According to one French media report, the blow to Schumacher's head was so fierce that the helmet cracked. That could not be independently confirmed, but prosecutor Patrice Quincy, based in Albertville, the home of the 1992 Winter Olympics, said: "The victim lost his balance and banged his head extremely violently on small rocks concealed by the snow."
Two ski patrollers arrived at the scene of the accident immediately, Quincy added, a rescue process which soon saw the sportsman taken by helicopter to the nearest hospital at Moûtiers.
Schumacher is thought to have been skiing downhill between two marked pistes below the jagged peaks of the Dent de Burgin when he fell, hitting the right side of his head.
Investigators from the gendarmerie based in the resort of Bourg St Maurice were on Monday on the mountainside attempting to establish the exact circumstances of the accident, which occurred at 2,100m.
After the impact, Schumacher was conscious but "stunned", neurosurgeon Stephan Chabardes said. "He didn't respond to questions after the accident. He didn't have a normal neurological reaction," he told the news conference. By the time he was brought to the hospital at Grenoble, which has an internationally recognised trauma centre, Schumacher was in a coma.
Tony Belli, a consultant neurosurgeon and reader in neurotrauma at Birmingham University, said that Schumacher's age, fitness and psychological strength would help his recovery. "He's got a lot of factors in his favour," he said. "He's more likely than not to make a good recovery, despite all the concerns that have been raised.
From the description of his injuries, it will take weeks, even months to recover, but I do expect him to make a good recovery."
Outside the hospital, fans mingled with television crews as the wait for a further update went on into the night.
Dressed in a red Ferrari cap, jacket and T-shirt, Enzo Debar, 31, said he had come to the hospital "to be close to him, to do what is possible, as a fan. I hope he'll get better. I am sure he will get better, because he's a fighter."
Sharing his hope was Patrick Amatucci, from Grenoble, who had come down with his son. He described Schumacher, whom he had followed from his days with Benetton, as "a great, good man", with greatness in his blood.
