Formula One legend Michael Schumacher has been involved in a serious skiing accident in the French Alps, and is currently in coma in a hospital in Grenoble, Southern France. The 44-year-old German was on holiday with his family.

Various reports are emerging from sources inside the hospital, and unfortunately none of them are good. Schumacher’s condition is said to be deteriorating from dangerous to critical. He is basically fighting for his life at this stage.

The accident happened when Schumi, skiing with 14-year-old son Mick, fell and his head hit a rock hidden under 40cm of snow. He was then airlifted to a nearby hospital while still conscious. Later in the night his condition started to worsen; so much so that he needed “neurosurgical intervention”, according to an official statement by the hospital. The fact that Schumacher had to undergo a surgery shows how life-treating his condition really is.

A great number of Schumacher’s friends and fans have rushed to France to be with his family during this rough patch. The Police has reportedly barricaded the hospital and dispatched officers to guard Michael’s room.

The motoring world has already suffered a major blow after Paul Walker’s death. Let’s pray for Schumi’s condition to improve rapidly. The Motorward team wishes the greatest driver in the world a very speedy recovery.

Update from Michael’s Facebook Page (10.50 GMT):

• doctors confirm schumacher is still critical
• doctors confirm they had to minize pressure on – Schumacher’s head
• live from grenoble: Schumacher’s accident happened with high speed
• schumacher had to be placed into artificial coma, he was operated just once
• schumacher “If he had the accident without a helmet, he would not be here now