Formula 1 racer Jules Bianchi is still unconscious and in critical condition seven months after his car crash at the Japan Grand Prix.
As reported, the Marussia driver is no longer hooked to a life support machine but has not regained consciousness.Medical reports indicate Bianchi suffered a "diffused axonal injury" during the Japan race accident in October 2014. The condition is known to affect a person's respiration and alertness.
Jule Bianchi was placed in an induced coma immediately after his accident. His parents Philippe and Christine Bianchi released a statement saying, "Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however, he is still unconscious. He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable but his condition is still classified as critical. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function."
Some news sites may have interpreted the statement to mean the driver is out of the coma, a state in which he actually remains to date.
Since the removal of the breathing aid, Bianchi has been brought closer to his home and is now at the Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU). The family has expressed approval of the move to a hospital where Bianchi now receives intensive care from specialists.
"We are thankful that the next phase of Jules' treatment can continue closer to home, where he can be surrounded by his wider family and friends. We have nothing, but praise for the outstanding care provided by the Mie General Medical Center since the accident. We owe the medical staff there an enormous debt of gratitude for everything they have done for Jules, and also for our family, during what is a very difficult time for us," says the Bianchis.
Bianchi's father had earlier spoken to French newspaper Nice-Matin about how Jules is "fighting fiercely" and describing how "Every day, Jules is running a marathon. All of his organs are working without assistance. But for now, he remains unconscious. He's forward. So we hope for a new evolution. The next one would be for him to get out of his coma."
Formula 1 race drivers and fans have flooded social media with messages and photos tagged #ForzaJules to mark the 7th month since the racing circuit last saw Jules on the race track.
Formula 1 racer Jenson Button currently in Barcelona for races tweeted a picture of him with Jules with the hashtag. Fans and crew posted "get well" and "keep fighting" messages.Jules Bianchi made his Formla One debut in 2013 driving for Marussia.
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