Doctors bringing Schumacher out of coma as he responds to simple instructions

The manager of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher has said that doctors working on his treatment are reducing his sedation to prepare to bring him out of a coma, and reports claimed that he is able to respond to simple instructions.

The seven-time German champion suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps on December 29 and has been in a medically-induced coma since.

British media reports quoted manager Sabine Kehm saying that reducing Schumacher's sedation will allow the 'waking up process' to start, although she admitted that bringing the German out of the coma 'could take a long time'.

Reports have also claimed that Schumacher is able to respond to simple instructions, although taking a patient out of an induced coma - reducing anaesthesia and removing mechanical ventilation - is a delicate process, especially after a prolonged period of sedation.

Reports mentioned that medically-induced coma can be induced by powerful anaesthetics and is broadly similar to the sedation and artificial ventilation used during surgery and it is used to shut down many brain functions and so lower blood flow and pressure.

Kehm also stated that it had been agreed to communicate details of his sedation 'only once this process was consolidated', and the statement again included an appeal by Schumacher's family for privacy for them and for his doctors, while at the same time expressing 'sincere appreciation for the worldwide sympathy'.

Meanwhile, Schumacher appears to have skied on a partially-covered rock, lost his balance and fallen on another rock further down, according to the prosecutor in charge of the investigation.