Michael Schumacher wakes from coma; out of hospital after almost six months

A photo taken on October 9, 2010 shows Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher of Germany smiling in his pits prior to the qualifying session of Formula One's Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit in western Japan. Formula One ex-champion Michael
A photo taken on October 9, 2010 shows Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher of Germany smiling in his pits prior to the qualifying session of Formula One's Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit in western Japan. Formula One ex-champion Michael Schumacher, who suffered severe head injuries in a ski accident in late last year, is no longer in a coma and has left the French hospital where he was being treated since the accident. -- PHOTO: AFP

PARIS (Reuters) - Formula One ex-champion Michael Schumacher, who suffered severe head injuries in a ski accident in late last year, is no longer in a coma and has left the French hospital where he was being treated since the accident

"Michael has left the CHU Grenoble (hospital) to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma any more," said spokesman Sabina Kehm in a statement. The statement did not say where he was being transferred to.

Schumacher, 45, slammed his head on a rock while skiing off-piste in the French Alps resort of Meribel on Dec 29.

The seven-time Formula One champion, five times with Ferrari, has been in a stable but critical condition since then in a hospital in the eastern French city of Grenoble.

Doctors started lowering his sedation at the end of January to wake him up from an artificial coma.

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