A surgeon specialising in brain and spinal injuries has arrived at the hospital where Michael Schumacher is being treated for a 'relatively serious' head injury.
The seven-time Formula One world champion is in hospital in Grenoble after crashing into a rock in an off-piste skiing accident in the French Alps.
Schumacher has retained consciousness and his condition is not thought to be life-threatening.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Schumacher: behind the wheel and aerials of the ski resort
Injured: Michael Schumacher was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury in a skiing accident
Gerard Salliant, one of the leading neurologists in Paris and a friend of the star, was accompanied by police as he was rushed to the Grenoble Hospital in eastern France.
Professor Saillant is a close friend of Schumacher and oversaw the German's medical care when he broke his leg in the 1999 British Grand Prix.
Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm said the retired driver was on a private skiing trip and 'fell on his head.'
'We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information about his health,' said Kehm.
'He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. No one else was involved in the fall.'
Keen skier: Schumacher skiing in January 2005 at the Italian resort of Madonna di Campiglio
Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte, director general of the Meribel resort, told RMC Sport: 'He was shocked, a little worried, but conscious. It could possibly be a cranial injury but it is not very serious.
'He was wearing a helmet and banged [his head] against a rock.'
Schumacher was skiing with his 14-year-old son near the Dent de Burgin (Tooth of Burgin) chairlift, between two marked pistes, when he fell at 11:07am.
Eight
minutes later, he was taken by a helicopter to an emergency ward in
Moutiers, nine miles away, before being transferred to Grenoble, 80
miles west.
Police are now investigating the circumstances of the accident.
Hospital: Schumacher is being treated at hospital in the south-eastern French city of Grenbole
Scene: Schumacher was skiing off-piste in the French Alps resort of Meribel
It is understood Schumacher was staying in a luxury villa at the resort which is a favourite among Europe's wealthy elite.
He is passionate skier who has a run named after him in the Italian ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio.
The 44-year-old German retired from F1 for the final time in 2012 after a three-season comeback with Mercedes.
Legend: German driver Schumacher won seven titles during his career
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