Merkel extremely dismayed over Schumacher's fall

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was "extremely dismayed" when hearing about the skiing accident of German racing legend Michael Schumacher, her spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday. "Like millions of Germans, the chancellor and government members were extremely dismayed when they heard about Michael Schumacher's serious skiing accident," Seibert said. "We hope that he can overcome the injuries and recover." The seven-time Formula One world champion, who had fallen and hit his head on a rock on Sunday while skiing in the French Alps, was still in a medically induced coma and remained in a critical condition following an immediate brain surgery, a French hospital where Schumacher is being treated said Monday morning. Schumacher suffered from a severe head trauma and his brain was also injured in the accident, Grenoble University Hospital Center briefed at a press conference. Doctors treating Schumacher refused to predict an outcome, saying it was too early to make any predictions about his future. Formular One drivers, friends and fans around the world expressed concerns over Schumacher's situation and wished him a quick recovery via social networks. German Formula One racing driver Sebastian Vettel, one of Schumacher's best friends and regarded as his successor, told German media: "I am shocked and hope that he will get better as sonn as possible." The origins of Schumacher's fall still remain unclear. Police are currently investigating the causes of the skiing accident, according to reports.