Schumacher moves to Swiss hospital after emerging from coma

The seven-times Formula One champion has emerged from a medically-induced coma and left the hospital in Grenoble, France, where he had been receiving treatment after suffering a head injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps in December last year.

His management company said in a statement: “Michael has left the CHU Grenoble to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma any more.”

Schumacher’s family expressed their gratitude to all those who have played a part in the process over the past five and a half months.

The statement added: “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. We are sure it helped him.”

Schumacher is believed to be recovering in Lausanne within 50 miles of the family mansion on the shores of Lake Geneva which he shares with wife Corinna and their two teenage children.

A medical expert explained that patients in the “rehabilitation” phase are often moved closer to home.

Helen Fernandes, consultant neurosurgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, said: “This is a period that can be quite lengthy where people are supported to recover as best as possible after their head injury through things like physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.”