Natasha Richardson, R.I.P.

What an awful story, especially for Liam Neeson and their children:

Actress Natasha Richardson has died after a fall on a Canadian ski slope Monday.

News of Richardson's death came Wednesday evening via press release "from Liam Neeson and family" sent out by a spokesman for Neeson, Richardson's husband, after she was transferred to a New York City hospital, where her relatives rushed to her side.

"Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," the statement said. "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

[...]

The Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec, where the 45-year-old actress was skiing Monday, released the following statement regarding her accident:

"Natasha Richardson fell in a beginners trail while taking a ski lesson at Station Mont Tremblant," the statement said. "She was accompanied by an experienced ski instructor who immediately called the ski patrol. She did not show any visible sign of injury but the ski patrol followed strict procedures and brought her back to the bottom of the slope and insisted she should see a doctor.

"As an additional precautionary measure, the ski instructor as well as the ski patrol accompanied Mrs. Richardson to her hotel," the statement continued. "They again recommended she should be seen by a doctor. The ski instructor stayed with her at her hotel. Approximately an hour after the incident Mrs. Richardson was not feeling good. An ambulance was called and Mrs. Richardson was brought to the Centre Hospitalier Laurentien in Ste-Agathe and was later transferred to Hôpital du Sacre-Coeur."

A spokesperson for the resort noted Richardson was not wearing a helmet while skiing and didn't collide with anything when she fell.

When I lived in Corner Brook, I fell while skiing at Marble Mountain dozens of times, and came out with nary a scratch. You just never know when your time comes, do you?

Damian P.

Posted by damian at March 19, 2009 08:31 AM