On the eve of his 45th birthday on Friday, Michael Schumacher is still fighting for his life in hospital.

His wife Corinna and former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt were back at the motor racing legend’s bedside today. Ex-Formula one champion Niki Lauda and Arsenal football club have sent some of the latest messages of support.

Schumacher suffered severe head injuries in Sunday’s accident in which German press reports say he was using rented skis.

The Bild newspaper reports that he helped the daughter of a friend who had fallen in the snow, before his own crash in the Alpine resort of Meribel.

It speculates that he may have been distracted by the binding on his boot and says the helicopter airlifting him to hospital stopped on the way so that a tube could be inserted to help his breathing.

With many claims unconfirmed, French authorities continue to investigate.

Schumacher has a holiday home at Meribel where he would normally celebrate his birthday with his family.