Prosecutors in the investigations into the skiing accident that has left seven-time Formula-One world champion Michael Schumacher in a medically-induced coma, say that investigations are “progressing well”.
In a press conference on Wednesday investigators said that examination of “extremely legible” footage from Schumacher’s helmet cam has provided important clues as to exactly what happened when Schumacher fell but are yet to determine exactly how fast the German was travelling at the time of his fall. They have however insisted that speed is not a key factor in their enquiry.
Schumacher was airlifted to hospital in Grenoble after straying off a marked piste, falling and hitting his head on rocks. He remains in a ‘stable but critical’ condition according to his manager but, despite showing signs of improvement following two operations to relieve pressure and bleeding on the brain. His manager has also confirmed that the F1 legend is still ‘not out of danger’.
Chief Prosecutor Patrick Quincy said at the press conference that the investigation was “progressing well” and that they had spoken to various witnesses as well as Schumacher’s doctors.
Quincy also said that the footage from Schumacher’s helmet camera was “extremely legible” and confirmed the information which they already have. He added however that they needed more time to study it frame-by-frame and that it would now be studied frame-by-frame to further establish exactly what happened.
According to the investigators, Schumacher only went between 3-6m off-piste when he hit a rock. The second rock, which caused the serious head injuries which have left Schumacher in critical condition in a Grenoble hospital, was about 8m off-piste.
“Mr Schumacher is in fact a very good skier, so he was going on the left-hand side in an area above what limits the main piste,” Chief Gendarme Stephane Bozon stated.
“He was on terrain that was really more sloped and because of that slope there was certain speed. He tried to reduce the speed, but there were a few curves, so a parallel trace remained to the direction he was going in.
“We can’t really estimate the speed in km/h, we can’t really work out a figure, but he was a good skier on terrain that was slightly curved, but one couldn’t in fact as it was off-piste, it made it difficult to slow down. He needed to remain in the line of the slope.”
Investigators have also indicated that the ski runs were properly marked and that they they conform to French norms so this would not be a factor in determining responsibility for the accident.
“As you are well aware, there are some French norms or standards that regard signalling, warning information and so on and what we were able to note was that those standards had been respected,” Quincy said.
Schumacher’s skiing equipment was still being analysed, but there was no immediate concern that it may have played a part in the accident. The skis appeared to be in good working condition, with scratches on the underside consistent with having hit the rocks.
Despite earlier reports by German magazine Der Spiegel suggesting that there was a witness who inadvertently captured footage on their smartphone, Quincy has cast doubts on the existence of a second film.
Quincy also reiterated the family’s wishes that their privacy be respected. There was no further update on Schumacher’s current condition.
