German Chancellor, Merkel fractures pelvis in Switzerland

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has fractured a bone in her pelvis in a cross-country skiing accident in Switzerland, her spokesman says.

She will have to remain lying down as much as possible in the next three weeks and several visits will be cancelled, Steffen Seibert said.
She also suffered heavy bruising in the accident, in the Alpine Engadine region of eastern Switzerland.
Ms Merkel was not skiing fast at the time, the spokesman added.
He called the injury “severe bruising linked with a partial fracture on the left, rear part of the pelvis”.
Immediately after the accident, during the Christmas holiday in December, Ms Merkel was not aware that part of her pelvis had been fractured, the spokesman said. It was a visit to her doctor on Friday that revealed the exact injury.

Schumacher condition has 'improved slightly'

F1 legend Michael Schumacher's condition has improved after more surgery last night, according to hospital chief.
Michael Schumacher's condition has improved after more surgery, according to the hospital staff where he is being treated.
Doctors treating Schumacher had previously refused to predict an outcome for the Formula One great, who is fighting for his life after a skiing accident in the French Alps.
"The situation is more under control than yesterday but we cannot say that he is out of danger," Jean-Francois Payen, head anaesthetician told a news conference at the CHU hospital.

Schumacher critical, outlook uncertain after fall

GRENOBLE, France (AP) — Doctors treating Michael Schumacher refused Monday to predict an outcome for the seven-time Formula One champion, saying they were taking his critical head injury "hour by hour" following a skiing accident.

Chief anesthesiologist Dr. Jean-Francois Payen told reporters that Schumacher was still in a medically induced coma and doctors were focusing only on his current condition.

"We cannot predict the future for Michael Schumacher," said Payen, who is also in charge of Grenoble University Hospital's intensive-care unit.