'Comatose' Schumacher's 'life-threatening' accident may be result of faulty ski bindings

The life-threatening accident of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher reportedly may have been caused by faulty bindings on his skis, leading to the seven-time world champion losing control and hitting his head on a rock in the French Alps.

The bindings are designed with a mechanism that automatically releases the boots from the skis in the event of a crash in order to prevent a skier's legs being twisted by the skis as they tumble down a slope and if the safety release failed it could have meant Schumacher's skis were released unnecessarily, causing him to lose control and hit a rock.

According to Telegraph.com.au, French authorities are reportedly investigating that possibility from the accident late last month, and are now probing the theory that the safety release mechanism on Schumacher's bindings may have failed.

The report mentioned that the investigation is also focusing on Schumacher's speed when he fell on a small off-piste section between two relatively gentle ski runs.

The German has been in an induced coma since the accident on December 29 in the French ski resort of Meribel, where he owns a chalet, the report added.