Schumacher shows signs of waking up

FILE - December 29, 2013: Former F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, 44, suffered a head injury in a skiing accident this morning in Meribel in the French Alps, according to local media. HAMBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 08: Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher looks on during the day of the legends event at the Millentor stadium on September 8, 2013 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)

FILE - December 29, 2013: Former F1 world champion Michael Schumacher, 44, suffered a head injury in a skiing accident this morning in Meribel in the French Alps, according to local media. HAMBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 08: Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher looks on during the day of the legends event at the Millentor stadium on September 8, 2013 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Published Apr 4, 2014

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Grenoble, France - Former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has shown signs of waking up from an artificial coma.

His manager, Sabine Kehm, said on Friday: “Michael is making progress on his way. He shows moments of consciousness and awakening.”

Schumacher, 45, suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident at the French resort of Meribel on 29 December.

He was taken to a hospital in Grenoble for emergency surgery and was then placed in an artificial coma.

Kehm added: “We are on his side during his long and difficult fight, together with the team of the hospital in Grenoble, and we keep remaining confident,” Kehm added.

Further details were not being made available, Kehm said, to protect the privacy of Schumacher and his family, and to allow the medical team to work in peace.

SMALL SIGNS

In the three months since Schumacher was placed in the artificial coma, Kehm has made various statements on his condition.

In mid-March she referred to “small signs which give us courage”, but also acknowledged that the waking-up process could take time and described it as “a long and difficult fight”.

An investigation into the accident by the French prosecutor's office said in February that there was no evidence of outside influence or wrongdoing.

It was discovered that Schumacher first struck a stone 4.5metres from the edge of the skiing course and hit his head against a second stone 10.4 metres away.

The impact was hard enough to crack his skiing helmet.

After the accident, Schumacher was immediately rushed to hospital and was operated on twice before being placed in an artificial coma.

The waking-up process began on 30 January when doctors started to reduce his sedation.

Formula One drivers and teams have frequently posted messages and made statements in support of the former champion.

“Michael: you are in our hearts, keep fighting as only you can,” tweeted the Mercedes team on Friday before the first practice session in Bahrain.

Sapa-dpa

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