Schumacher's bodyguard perished in disaster

Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, who has donated US$10 million ($14.3 million) to the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster, revealed yesterday that one of his bodyguards died in the tragedy.

Schumacher said on his website that bodyguard Burkhard Cramer, 44, was killed at Phuket in Thailand, and that his two children are also understood to have died.

"The dawning of the New Year has not been as joyful for us this year because of the catastrophe in Asia. We sympathise with the victims in their grief," Schumacher said.