Schumacher’s injury, 40-45% chance of recovery – doctor

Patients with head injuries similar to motor racing champion Michael Schumacher have a 40-45-percent chance of recovery, said professor Jean-Francois Payen, the head doctor at the intensive care ward in Grenoble, France, where Schumacher remains in a coma after a severe skiing accident, according to Voice of Russia.

The doctor noted however that these were just the statistics. He believes the legendary Formula One driver, who has undergone two operations, will recover.

When a patient has such a serious injury, he may remain in a coma for weeks or even months, a German neurosurgeon said earlier. However, in such cases, it is hard to predict. Any developments are possible, he said.

Schumacher, the most successful Formula One driver of all time and seven-time world champion, hit his head on a rock when he fell while skiing in the French Alps on December 29. He has undergone surgery and remains in a in stable condition under an induced coma.

Camera on Schumacher’s helmet taken by French investigators

French authorities investigating Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident are inspecting a camera attached to the Formula One legend’s helmet. A source close to French authorities handling the investigation disclosed the existence of the camera late on Friday saying it had been taken to see if it might yield any clues as to the circumstances of the accident.

Schumacher’s 14-year-old son Mick, who was skiing with his father at the time, had also been questioned by investigators, the source said, confirming information reported by the French newspaper Dauphine Libere.

These developments in the probe came the day Schumacher turned 45 while still in unconscious in a hospital in the French Alpine city of Grenoble after his December 29 accident.

Fans marked the birthday with a silent vigil outside the facility, part of which was organized by Ferrari, Schumacher’s former team.

French authorities are examining various factors in the ski accident, in which Schumacher’s head hit a rock so hard his helmet was split in two.

Although he was conscious when airlifted from the unmarked run in the Meribel resort, where he owns a property, Schumacher was agitated and soon fell into a coma, prompting his transfer to Grenoble hospital.

He has undergone two operations to remove blood and pressure from his brain. His manager said in the last update on Wednesday that he remains in a critical but stable condition.

His family is at his bedside, including his wife Corinna, his two teenage children, his father Rolf and brother Ralph, who is also a racing driver.