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Liam Neeson and the boys 'left shocked and devastated' by Richardson's death
Tom Teodorczuk in New York and Terry Kirby19 Mar 2009
LIAM NEESON was today mourning actress wife Natasha Richardson as tributes poured in from across the theatrical and film worlds.
Neeson and the couple's sons, Daniel, 13, and Micheál, 12, together with other members of the Redgrave theatrical dynasty, had earlier been at Ms Richardson's hospital bedside in New York when the decision was taken to switch off her life support machine.
Ms Richardson, 45, suffered a fatal head injury in a skiing accident in Canada on Monday. Plans were being made today for memorial services in both London and New York. Neeson's anguish was clear as he returned from Manhattan's Lenox Hill Hospital to the family's Upper West Side home last night.
He was accompanied by Ms Richardson's mother Vanessa Redgrave and sister, Joely. Neeson, 56, acknowledged photographers who offered condolences, but said nothing. The family is understood to be planning a small, private funeral followed by the memorial services for the award-winning actress described in tributes as both "beautiful and egoless".
A statement issued on behalf of the family said: "Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."
Others present at the hospital included Ms Richardson's first husband, producer Robert Fox, and her niece, the budding actress Daisy Bevan, 17. Lauren Bacall and Meryl Streep, who co-starred with Ms Richardson in the 2007 film Evening, and the writer Joan Didion were among close friends who visited her.
The accident happened during a lesson for beginners on a green run at the Mont Tremblant resort, where the actress had been on holiday with her sons. Ms Richardson, who had not been wearing a helmet, initially refused treatment.
An ambulance crew called by ski staff were told they were not needed, it was revealed today.
Yves Coderre, director of operations at the emergency services company that sent the paramedics, said: "They never saw the patient. So they turned around."
The resort issued a statement which said Ms Richardson did not appear injured after the fall and was walking around shortly afterwards.
She returned to her hotel room but later complained of an extreme headache and another ambulance was called. She was taken to two Canadian hospitals before being flown to Manhattan.
Medical experts believe she suffered from delayed bleeding or swelling of an artery in the brain. Such a potentially fatal injury can only normally be averted if a scan is carried out swiftly.
Neeson, who had been filming in Toronto, rushed to her bedside. It is believed Mr Richardson was pronounced brain dead prior to being airlifted to New York, but a decision was taken to keep her on life support so that her family could gather to say goodbye.
Film mogul Harvey Weinstein, who worked with Ms Richardson on Blow Dry and Waking Up In Reno, said: "For all her talent and beauty, she was egoless."
Lindsay Lohan, who performed aged 12 alongside Ms Richardson in one of her biggest commercial successes, The Parent Trap, in 1998, said: "She was a wonderful woman and actress and treated me like I was her own."
Reader views (29)
Gosh what a loss to this world!! My heart goes out to the family that have lost her in an instant...this a such a true reminder to us all, how life is so so short! Live each moment..and live it as Natasha...happy and egoless
R.I.P
- Shamiso, Zimbabwe, 20/03/2009 14:00
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So very sorry for your loss. It breaks all our hearts.
- Cait, calgary, canada, 20/03/2009 07:15
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Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt wishes are with the Neesom and Richardson families from this side of the Atlantic, as well.
- Constance, Fremont, California, USA, 19/03/2009 19:49
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Lovely lady and family, may she R.I.P.
- Mike, London England, 19/03/2009 17:42
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My heartfelt condolences go out to Liam Neeson, his children, his family, to Vanessa Redgrave and her family. I was very sad to hear of Natasha's passing - my thoughts go out to them and hope they have happy memories, and that one day, they learn to laugh again xxx
- Amanda, Sunbury on Thames, UK, 19/03/2009 16:24
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My thoughts are with you Liam at this very sad time. I have always thought what a lovely man you are. To lose someone you love so young is very tragic. Looking after your boys will keep you busy. Take care and may God bless you.
- Norma Hughes, Edinburgh Scotland, 19/03/2009 15:52
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You are all in our prayers.
Condolences for your loss.
- Don, Dallas USA, 19/03/2009 15:42
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She was just so beautiful it really is unbelievably sad
- Anne, Paris, 19/03/2009 15:17
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I echo Michael Parkinson's sentiments - Liam and Natasha were two people who got on with their lives, did their exceptional work in front of the camera, but were not "showy". This is a terrible and unforeseen tragedy for their family. Liam waited until he was 41 before he decided he had met his soulmate and married Natasha, and now she's gone. He must be devastated. Condolences to all concerned.
- Yvonne, Doncaster, UK, 19/03/2009 15:04
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She is one of the very few celebrities who really did appear to have no vanity, airs or graces. What terrible luck and it will certainly make me wonder about skiing again and I have two children under 6. but one thing that really puzzles me about all the stories - when they said she wasn't wearing a helmet. I have never seen anyone wear a helmet whilst skiing. Is this something I missed (even though I was skiing in February) I am perplexed because it is written as though it were abnormal not to wear a helmet...
My condolences to her husband, children and family and to Vanessa Redgrave whom I had the pleasure to see on stage in the one-woman's show written by her friend Joan Didion. 'A year of magical thinking' which is ironically about amongst other things, the author losing her own daughter...
- Jessica, london, 19/03/2009 14:57
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It is always tragic when someone young dies, but this is especially shocking because you just don't expect someone to get a fatal injury on a beginner's ski slope - it must have happened by some ghastly fluke, which makes it even harder to accept: my heart goes out to her family, especially her children.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 19/03/2009 14:20
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All skiing is dangerous but then so is crossing the road. Best not to dwell on the what ifs and just to celebrate a very beautiful person taken too soon from her family and admirers. Death is never easy to deal with and there is always that terrible sense of loss that the death of one so young and beautiful leaves. I know I lost someone very special to cancer at 42, gone in 3 months. Time is the only healer and the memories are some solace in the hard months ahead. God bless and comfort you Liam & the boys.
- James Macleod Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, 19/03/2009 13:40
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I,m gutted, our thoughts are with Liam.
Natasha was a real lady who will be sadly missed.
- Gordon, UK, 19/03/2009 13:17
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A tragic and shocking story - deepest sympathy to her bereft husband, her lovely boys and close and loving family, who can hopefully give strength and support to each other
- Jools, uk, 19/03/2009 10:33
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Really, really tragic...like Jade Goody. It just doesn't seem right to die like that.
God Bless her Soul
- Jason Stone, Stratford, Newham, 19/03/2009 10:04
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Anyone who grew up as Vanessa lit up screens in Camelot will regret the passing of Natasha,also a bright energy like her mother.It is very upsetting news and everyone will be thinking of her family in the days ahead.
- Amoreno, Luxembourg, 19/03/2009 09:54
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very sad news, and so young. God Bless xxx
- Yvonne, harrow Weald, 19/03/2009 09:31
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Another English rose has gone! Will always remember her role in parent trap and her Englishness! It's very sad and above all her death seems to be so unnecessary!
- John, London, 19/03/2009 09:11
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My heat and thoughts are with her family. My youngest son died when he was 26, that was in 1993...I am in my 72nd
year now and I'm not sure I could recover from that loss
at 72. I am sure Vanessa Redgrave has courage and strength
beyond words...but this is so sad. Took me a lot of years
to work through it but the pain does not go away, you just
learn to reinvent yourself and to find joy in the small
pleasures in life.
- Val2gi19, usa, 19/03/2009 02:13
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Such a tragedy. So very sorry for the family. She appeared to be a lovely woman.
- Carla, Portland, Oregon, USA, 19/03/2009 01:48
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Sadly, Natasha Richardson,a bright light,has passed away.
- Dylan Rivis, MONTPELIER, VT, USA, 19/03/2009 01:09
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The sorrow of the faithful
is not that of permanent loss,
but the tender sense of sadness
that comes in saying good-bye for now
to someone we love.
May today's sorrow give way
to the peace and
comfort of God's love
- Eg, London, 19/03/2009 01:05
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You're in our thoughts
Please know how much
you are loved
and how deeply
your loss is felt by all
Sad News! and weird too the mountains are not even that big!!
- Edward Garcia, Huntington New York, 19/03/2009 00:49
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My deepest condolences go out to Ms. Richardson's family. To that I add a plea that what happened to her go for some good in educating the public to brain injuries. If you see a someone get a head injury, you must insist they see a doctor immediately even if they don't want to. An unmarried friend of mine was head-injured in an elevator accident and brushed off suggestions she see a doctor immediately. She survived her injury (a brain bleed) but can no longer work or date because her injury left her with major short-term memory damage. It's very common that people with "closed head" injuries -- i.e. no visible bleeding -- do not realize the seriousness of their situation and thus do not take action quickly enough. If you ever are in such a situation, or see such a situation, please, please insist on an immediate medical evaluation. You could save a life.
- Evinn, New York, USA, 18/03/2009 23:42
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why isn't there an etiquette about posting anonymous "you should have done/this or that" on these boards. Hopefully no one directly affected by this will read these "I told you so comments" - have some compassion folks - either send thoughts or shut it. This is very sad and must be horrible for the family.
- Jc, Se1, 18/03/2009 18:28
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My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.. I have met Vanessa and Joely, whom are a loving a caring family and only hope for the recovery of Natasha. It is just a horrible freak accident that is no one's fault.
Best wishes and in my thoughts.
B
- B, London, 18/03/2009 17:27
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This is an absolute tragedy, but there is no way to know whether or not a helmet would have prevented this particular tragedy. It appears from accounts to have been a fall on a beginner slope not at speed, but who knows. Any direct fall onto the head is dangerous, even from standing still. Any head protection is beneficial but may not prevent serious injury to susceptible individuals, or where a fall is at speed. Prayers for the family at this time.
- Ali, Newcastle, UK, 18/03/2009 17:17
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Surely all ski schools/instructors should encourage new skiers to wear helmets, its absolute madness not to these days. I think that it should be a requirement that your insurance company insists on when you seek cover for your trip.
- Kathleen Pilgrim, London, 18/03/2009 16:52
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I wonder if the ski instructor offered her a helmet, with some cajoling comments on possible head injuries suffered by skiers? That would seem a prudent move by any ski instructor, even if the law of Quebec didn't require head protection. Whatever the outcome for Ms Richardson, her situation is going to lead to skiers thinking twice about head protection in future. So, some good will come of this terrible situation.
- Phil Jones, London UK, 18/03/2009 14:04
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