Michael Schumacher update as two grave mistakes revealed a decade on from F1 icon's skiing accident
Michael Schumacher sustained serious injuries while skiing a decade ago
GETTY
This month will mark 10 years since Michael Schumacher's tragic skiing accident.
And a German journalist has revealed two mistakes a decade on, with the 54-year-old continuing to live away from the spotlight.
Schumacher was holidaying with his family in the French Alps when he went off course and hit his head on a rock.
While he was later able to return home, his condition remains unknown with the F1 icon's inner circle preferring to keep details under wraps.
Michael Schumacher hasn't been seen in over a decade
GETTY
German journalist Jens Gideon, speaking to broadcaster ARD, has now revealed two mistakes that were made around the time.
After speaking with a skiing instructor named Andre, he said there wasn't enough snow on the ground.
That made conditions dangerous to ski in.
The lack of snow meant rocks were exposed more than usual and, as a result, tragedy struck.
"You don't go in there on a day like that," a colleague who works with Gideon said.
"It was clear there wasn't enough snow."
Gideon also says that Schumacher could potentially have received treatment quicker if he had been taken to a specialised hospital in Grenoble right away.
The Formula One hero was initially conscious after the accident and was taken to a hospital in Moutiers.
However, with Schumacher then losing consciousness and starting to struggle to breathe, that led to him being transported to another medical facility instead.
Given he was initially conscious, it appears the severity of his injuries were difficult to gleam at first.
A decade on and Schumacher continues to live away from the public eye.
His manager, Sabine Kehm, is hoping the upcoming ARD documentary does justice to the stricken star.
"If an athlete manages to have his name almost synonymous with the sport he practices, then it's no longer possible [to separate the two]," she said.
"Someone hears Michael's name and immediately thinks of 'Formula 1'.
"Only the greats have achieved that. Ultimately, Michael personifies Formula 1."
Kehm is also hoping the documentary will show the human side to Schumacher, too.
"[He] always stayed with himself," she added.
"His fighting spirit, his work ethic, his need for harmony, but also his toughness and stubbornness and sometimes ruthlessness.
"All of this creates a very special mixture, which I believe is the basis for the fascination that he creates."
Meanwhile, speaking recently, former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley opened up on Schumacher.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Michael Schumacher won seven F1 titles during the course of his career
GETTY
And he revealed his immediate reaction after learning of the German's tragic accident.
“I was at home and where I heard it from was a phone call with Felipe Massa," he told the Daily Star.
“He said, ‘oh, Michael has had a skiing accident’.
"I said, ‘oh okay, has he hurt himself?’ He replied, 'oh, I don’t think so. I just heard he’s had a skiing accident'.
“I just thought he kind of broke his leg or something like that.
"When the news started to filter through, that it was much more serious than that, all we could do, and can do now, is continue to hope and pray for him.”
You may like
