Michael Schumacher in critical condition after skiing accident

Michael Schumacher is in critical condition after a skiing accident this morning in the French Alps.

Early reports said that he was fine after he had hit his head on a rock while wearing a helmet. He was transferred to a bigger medical facility via helicopter -- and he was admitted in a coma and had emergency brain surgery.

A hospital statement said he was in critical condition.

No new updates yet on his current state.

I am so worried. This sounds oddly similar to Natasha Richardson's fatal accident a few years ago. She was conscious and "fine" at first, then things went really bad after.

Schumacher is a seven-time Formula 1 world champion.

From AP:

PARIS (AP) — Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher was in critical condition after undergoing brain surgery following a skiing accident in the French Alps on Sunday, doctors said.

The Grenoble University Hospital Center said the retired racing driver arrived at the clinic in a coma and underwent immediate surgery for a serious head trauma.

It was not clear whether the 44-year-old Schumacher was still in a coma but the hospital statement, which was signed by a neurosurgeon, an anesthesiologist and Marc Penaud, the hospital's deputy director, said "he remains in a critical condition."

Schumacher fell while skiing off-piste in Meribel earlier Sunday and hit his head on a rock, according to a statement from the resort. Resort managers said he had been wearing a helmet and was conscious when rescuers first responded to the scene.

Earlier in the day, the Meribel resort said Schumacher had been taken to Grenoble for tests and authorities said his life was not in danger.