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Natasha Richardson fights for life after freak ski fall
Amar Singh and Anna Davis17 Mar 2009
ACTRESS Natasha Richardson was critically ill today after falling and banging her head during a skiing lesson in Canada.
She was not wearing a helmet and is said to have laughed off the accident on a beginners' run, initially declining medical attention.
Richardson, 45, the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave, did not realise she had been injured until an hour later when she began experiencing headaches and an ambulance was called. The film and stage star was found to have suffered a "traumatic head injury" in the accident in the Quebec resort of Mont Tremblant.
Her husband Liam Neeson, who was filming in Toronto, flew to be at her bedside at a hospital in Montreal. The couple have two sons, Michael, 13, and Daniel Jack, 12, who are believed to have been staying with their mother at a nearby hotel. It is not thought they were with her on the lesson.
A spokeswoman for the ski resort, a favourite with stars and wealthy Americans, said: "Ms Richardson fell during a ski lesson but she didn't show any signs of injury. The ski patrol looked at her and reported that she was laughing and joking. They told her to see someone but she insisted that she was fine and just wanted to go back to her room. The instructor and two members of the patrol accompanied her to her hotel room. She refused to see anyone and signed a paper saying she didn't want to see a doctor.
"After an hour or so she said she had a headache, then they called 911. We have the signed form in which she declined medical attention.
"She was not wearing a helmet. The law in Quebec does not require it but we always suggest it but cannot impose it." The resort spokesman added: "There were no signs of impact and no blood, nothing."
A member of one of Britain's most famous acting dynasties, Richardson was on holiday before co-starring with her mother in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Her sister is actress Joely Richardson.
Their uncle Corin Redgrave told the Standard: "I am very saddened. We are very much thinking of Natasha, Vanessa and Joely, and are sending them our love."
His wife Kika Markham said: "We know that she has had an accident but we really do not know any more details. We are very concerned." Neeson had been working on the thriller Chloe when he heard the news.
A spokesman for the film said: "Liam Neeson left the Toronto set immediately to fly to Montreal. We do not have any details but hope for the best and our thoughts and prayers are with Natasha, Liam and their family."
The accident took place yesterday afternoon. A spokeswoman for Mont Tremblant resort said: "We have launched a full investigation into the incident and are awaiting more details."
According to local reports, Richardson was given emergency treatment at the Centre Hospitalier Laurentien before being transferred to Montreal's Sacre Coeur hospital at 5pm yesterday. She is now said to have left that hospital and moved to a specialist unit in one of the city's bigger hospitals. A spokeswoman for the ski resort said they were unable to determine the latest update on her condition despite repeated attempts.
Richardson and Neeson met in 1984 on the set of TV series Ellis Island. A decade later she left her producer-husband of nine years, Robert Fox, for the Irish actor.
In October 1998 the couple sued two newspapers for suggesting their marriage was on the rocks and donated the libel damages to the victims of that year's bombing in Omagh, Northern Ireland. The couple live in a ranch near Millbrook, New York, with their sons. Agents for Richardson and Neeson declined to comment. An agent on behalf of Vanessa Redgrave said they were waiting to speak to her before releasing a statement.
Richardson has appeared in more than 30 films, including The White Countess, Patty Hearst, Widows' Peak and The Parent Trap. She made her feature film debut as Mary Shelley in Ken Russell's Gothic in 1986. She won the Evening Standard Award for Best Actress in 2005 for Asylum and in 1990 for her performance in Volker Schlöndorff's The Handmaid's Tale and Schrader's The Comfort of Strangers.
Reader views (9)
Dear Natasha, our prayers go out to you. Am sure you can pull it through. To Liam, your two kids and family members, we love you all and pls stay strong for Natasha.
- Jqie Siew, kuala lumpur, malaysia, 18/03/2009 07:37
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All the best to Ms. Richardson and her family.
- Rose Sherwood, Canada, 18/03/2009 01:37
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We feel your grief and sorrow. May God Bless Natasha, Liam and the family. May you heal quickly and be back smiling, and laughing on the ski hills in no time !!
With many prayers;
Thinking of you in Canada!
God Bless!
- Jenn, Canada, 18/03/2009 01:31
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Everyone wears helmets here in Switzerland when they ski - it is no longer cool not to wear one anyway. I think helmets are becoming more and more common in all European ski resorts - I don't know about the US/Canadian resorts. My best wishes to the Neelson family - God bless.
- Anna, zurich switzerland, 17/03/2009 15:44
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Most people don't wear helmets when they ski.
Accidents happen every day.
I wonder how many lives would be saved if helmets were mandatory 24/7 no matter where or what you were doing?
- Trunk, US, 17/03/2009 14:49
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Oh please, pull through this!
For you two young children's sake, please pull through this! They very much need you & will for many more years to come.
Be strong Mr. Neeson - Good, strong vibes that surround her hospital bed might be felt & absorbed by your wife.
Many are thinking of you & your wife along wih your children during this time.
- Thinking Of You, USA, 17/03/2009 14:15
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How very, very tragic.
- Lindiwe, kent, 17/03/2009 13:55
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May God be kind to Natasha and give her family comfort at this time.
- Samantha, Stonehouse,UK, 17/03/2009 12:51
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Dear Lord God, Please Heal Natasha Richardson.
Our Prayers are with you, your husband and all of your Family.
- Sunny, USA, 17/03/2009 11:12
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