Michael Schumacher no longer in coma following skiing accident

Omnisports Pulse

June 16, 2014 10:57 AM

Michael Schumacher has left hospital in Grenoble and is no longer in a coma following the skiing accident he suffered in December.

The 45-year-old sustained a serious head injury in the French resort of Meribel, and had been placed in a medically induced coma.

His manager Sabine Kehm said in April that Schumacher had shown "small, encouraging signs" as he began the "wake-up" phase of his recovery, but no further update had been released since.

Reports over the weekend suggested the seven-time Formula One world champion was no longer in the CHU Grenoble, and that news was confirmed on Monday in a statement released to the media.

It read: "Michael has left the CHU Grenoble to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma anymore.

"His family would like to explicitly thank all his treating doctors, nurses and therapists in Grenoble as well as the first aiders at the place of the accident, who did an excellent job in those first months.

"The family also wishes to thank all the people who have sent Michael all the many good wishes to Michael. We are sure it helped him.

"For the future we ask for understanding that his further rehabilitation will take place away from the public eye."

Schumacher's rehabilitation will now continue at an undisclosed location.

Mercedes, the team Schumacher spent three seasons with after coming out of retirement in 2010, welcomed Monday's update.

A message from their official Twitter account read: "Encouraging news on Michael's condition this morning. We couldn't ask for a better start to the week. #KeepFightingMichael"

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