Scene: This is the off-piste spot where Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is believed to have fallen''
This is the spot where Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is believed to have suffered a horrific fall while skiing off-piste.
The 44-year-old is still 'fighting for his life' and remains in a coma after the accident, which happened in the French resort of Meribel on Sunday.
Eyewitness say Schumacher hit his head on one of the many rocks in the off-piste area - causing him to briefly lose consciousness.
Critical: The seven-time champion (pictured on the slopes in 2006) has undergone emergency surgery after suffering a brain hemorrhage in the skiing accident in the French Alpine resort of Meribel''
Risky: Eyewitnesses say the retired racing driver hit his head on one of the many rocks in the off-piste area (right) while skiing with his 14-year-old son Mick (believed to be pictured, above, with his father)
Schumacher and his wife Corrina attend the Asterix At The Olympic Games Paris premiere in Paris in 2008''
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Brain surgeons battled throughout the night to save the retired racing driver's life, said his anaesthetist Jean-Francois Payen, who added: 'We are working hour by hour'.
He also revealed that Schumacher might not have survived the 'high-speed' fall if he had not been wearing a helmet.
Speaking at a press conference at the Grenoble Hospital, in eastern France, Mr Payen said: 'We judge him to be in a very serious situation. We cannot predict the future for Michael Schumacher.
'It's too early to say what is going to happen and to have a prognosis. Taking into consideration the very violent shock, his helmet did protect him to a certain extent, of course.
Treatment: Surgeons at Grenoble Hospital (pictured) are assessing Schumacher's recovery on an hourly basis''
Protection: Jean-Francois Payen - an anesthetist at the hospital - revealed that the F1 legend might not have survived the 'high-speed' fall if he had not been wearing a helmet''
Working hour by hour': Professor Jean-Francois Payen (pictured, left, with Professors Gerard Saillant and Emmanuel Gay) updates the media on Schumacher's condition at a press conference at the Grenoble Hospital
Overseeing his care: French surgeon Gerard Saillant, who operated on Schumacher when he broke his leg in an F1 crash in 1999, said he went to the hospital as 'friend' not a doctor
'Somebody who would have this kind of accident without a helmet, certainly, he would not have got to here.'
Professor Stephan Chabardes, the neurosurgeon who operated on the F1 star, told the news conference: 'Mr Schumacher was taken by helicopter very quickly to Grenoble Hospital.
'On his arrival we examined him clinically and we realised he was in a serious condition, in a coma, with in fact cranial pressure.
'The brain scan showed a number of pieces of information, some intercranial haematoma (internal bleeding) but also some cerebral contusions (bruising of the brain tissue) and oedema (build-up of fluid).
Urgent: Surgeon Stephan Chabardes operated on the F1 legend to relieve bleeding and bruising in the brain''
Media frenzy: Schumacher's medical team answers questions from dozens of journalists at Grenoble Hospital''
'We cannot predict the future for Michael Schumacher': Medics told the throng of journalists that it was too early to make a prognosis''
No time to lose: A diagram explaining the dangers of a subdural hematoma, a potentially fatal brain injury which Michael Schumacher is believed to have suffered after his fall
'We operated urgently to try to eliminate the haematoma. After the operation we saw that we had been able to eliminate these haematoma but also sadly the appearance of various bilateral lesions.
'So therefore he was taken to intensive care to try to help.'
Prof Payen said the hospital did not intend to carry out a second operation, adding: 'We don't feel it is necessary at the moment.
Meanwhile, Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm released a statement on behalf of the family, who are holding a vigil at his bedside.
It said: 'We would like to thank the medical team who we know do everything possible to help Michael.
'We would like to also thank the people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for Michael's recovery.
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