Prosecutor: Speed not important in Michael Schumacher ski accident
By: Bajram Hysa Facebook Twitter Google + |
| Prosecutor: Speed not important in Michael Schumacher ski accident |
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A French prosecutor investigating a ski accident in which former world champion racing driver Michael Schumacher was seriously injured said Wednesday that speed was not an important factor.
Schumacher has been in a
medically induced coma for the past 10 days and has undergone two
surgeries since the December 29 accident. His doctors say he is in
stable but critical condition.
Prosecutor Patrick
Quincy, speaking at a news conference in Albertville, said the
investigation had made progress but could still take several weeks to
complete.
"Speed is not a particularly important element for us in that inquiry," he said.
Police investigator
Stephane Bozon said it was not possible to estimate Schumacher's speed
in terms of kilometers per hour, "but this was the speed of a very good
skier on a slope which was not very steep."
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Retracing Schumacher's off-piste route
Another investigator, Benoit Vinneman, said Schumacher was traveling at "a normal speed for an experienced skier."
Quincy ruled out problems
with Schumacher's skis, which he said were almost new. The piste, or
ski run, also appeared to be correctly marked according to French
standards, he said.
Family ask media for privacy
Schumacher hit a rock
hidden beneath the snow while skiing in an area between two marked
pistes, the prosecutor said, which catapulted him face first onto
another rock. Schumacher ended up 9 meters (30 feet) from the edge of
the piste, he said.
Investigators have begun
studying footage filmed on a small camera attached to Schumacher's
helmet, but further analysis is needed, Quincy said.
The video is only two minutes long and has a very limited field of vision, he said.
He said experts may be
able to use it to determine Schumacher's precise position in relation to
the edge of the piste and possibly the speed at which he was traveling
at the time of the accident.
Why induced comas help injured brains
Investigators are talking to family members, witnesses and others in connection with the Schumacher inquiry, he said.
The investigation is no
different from those carried out in other serious accidents on the
slopes, Quincy added. There are about 50 such a year in the Albertville
area, he said.
Schumacher is a formidable figure in Formula One, and his plight has attracted global interest and an outpouring of support from the sport's fans.
However, his family wants the media to keep its distance and appealed Tuesday for privacy.
"Please support us in
our common fight with Michael," Corinna Schumacher, the wife of the race
car driver, said in a statement. "It is important to me that you
(media) relieve the doctors and the hospital so that they can work in
peace. I kindly ask you to trust their statements and leave the clinic.
Please also let our family in peace."
Schumacher is the most successful driver in Formula One history, driving for the Benetton and Ferrari teams and claiming a record seven world titles and 91 grand prix wins.
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