Reports from other sources stating that Natasha Richardson had died from the injuries she sustained in a skiing accident are not confirmed. Until they are confirmed by her family or publicist, we won’t report it. Here’s the reason: Earlier today, Time Out New York posted that Natasha had died, but just moments later, the story was removed from their web site, with a replacement story that the actress had been declared brain dead. However, TMZ reported at the same time that the actress was not brain dead, and was being transferred to a New York City hospital to be treated for swelling of the brain. The site claims that the Montreal hospital confirmed that she is still alive and being moved.
UPDATE 2:00 PM ET — The hospital tells TMZ Richardson is sedated and suffering from brain swelling — but is not brain dead.
UPDATE: 1:37 PM ET — We’re told Richardson’s jet was scheduled to take off from Montreal-Trudeau Airport. A rep for the airport said the jet is either still there or has just taken off.
We’re told Natasha Richardson has been transported from the hospital in Canada via ambulance. CTV says she boarded a private jet — we do not know where the jet has gone, but we believe it’s New York City.
Richardson was accompanied by a medic team for the flight.
I’m sure all the news outlets are in a big race to get the scoop on this, but let’s remember that this is a human being with a family here. Falsely reporting on someone’s death, or reporting that death prematurely before the family has even been notified, are horrible things to do for the sake of selling a newspaper. Who would have thought that TMZ would be the outlet with the cooler head in this situation? As soon as we get credible confirmation on Natasha’s condition, we will give an update – but not a minute sooner.
Our thoughts and good wishes go to Natasha and her family.
Natasha Richardson and her mother, stage/screen legend Vanessa Redgrave. Photos: WENN.
Oh, I love this betch so much! Parent Trap forever! I ski at least three times a week and I ALWAYS wear a helmet just because of things like this–you just never know… I wish her a speedy recovery! Such a classy lady!
Agreed, Gistine. Wear a helmet!
Incidentally, I wonder which hill she was on. I wonder which hospital. I wonder what’s with all the hospitalized celebrities in Montreal lately (well, her and Janet Jackson). Not that I expect an answer to any of the above questions, of course, because it doesn’t batter in the least.
Such a lovely, talented woman. I hope she has a successful and speedy recovery.
@Ling,
Yeah, a helmet makes one look a little like Special Ed from Crank Yankers, but it’ll save your noggin every time. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss going without a helmet because it feels good, but ever since I got taken out by a snowboarder (who did not stop), I refuse to go without. My head was fine, my tailbone…not so much.
Poor Natasha…I hope she gets well soon!
As an ICU nurse I can tell you – if she were critically ill with brain swelling, they would not move her. Way too dangerous.
Hopefully this story is true, because it would mean she’s much more stable than previously reported.
I just read that she is indeed brain dead and on life support. I pray that the info I read is wrong. I lost my husband to a traumatic brain injury 2 years ago and I hate that others have to live thru this. He was 36 years old. Leaving behind our 3 kids and one was only 8 months old. The worst part of this type of death is that no one every really thinks about how easily it can happen. After he died I did hours worth of research and found the TBI is not a rare event. Folks fall and hit there heads every day and day. Most folks believe it only happens to the elderly or the very young. Either way I am praying for them. Making the decision to take someone you love off of life support is, well I can’t even explain what it is. Two years later I still struggle with it every day.
the tv news just reported that she is being taken to ny, to be taken off life support and allowed to die
this is terribly sad
poor liam neeson- on st. patty’s day too
Sorry. I meant to type “every day and die” not every day and day.
I won’t even mention that I used the wrong form of “their”.
I’m so sorry, mary.
Crossing all my fingers and toes that Natasha will be okay. Love her, and Liam too.
A novice and no helmut? Of course all skiers should be wearing one. Why wasn’t she told to wear one?
If she had brain swelling they wouldn’t move her? But that doesn’t sound too good because it means if she’s brain dead, then she could be moved…
Why bad things must always happen to good people? I Wish dear Natasha a speedy recovery.
God bless her and her family. xoxo
Many prayers for Natasha and her loved ones.
crazymary: What a horrible tragedy, I’m so sorry. Best wishes to you and your family.
Oh good, she’s out of the hospital and ALIVE. I wish her and Liam all the best.
I was thinking the same thing….If, she has Brain Damage or swelling they would diffentately not fly her out of the country the altitude wouldn’t be good. I just pray like the rest that she will make it and I pray that her family is being looked after. We should all be thankful that they have shared their talents and love all these year to entertain us and if something tragic has happened then give them all the space they need.
Their false reporting is beyond irresponsible. And to report someone’s loved as being dead when they have no proof is horrendous. I’ll never understand that. In the rush to be the first to break the news, they report rumors.
I honestly hope she is not as bad off as the rumors are saying. Best to wait for the statement from her family, which I hope is in a more positive direction than talk of her being brain dead or dead.
Also, hugs to you CrazyMary. That is awful what you had to go through. 🙁
A friend of mine’s tween daughter hit her head on a tree skiing and suffered brain swelling. She’s still having trouble with memory, etc. two years later — and this is a young person who would tend to heal better and faster.
I hope it is just a concussion in Ms. Richardson’s case. I’m sorry that her wonderful family, including the marvelous Vanessa Redgrave (her mother), should be exposed to this stress and worry.
Hope all goes for the best.
What is with the times these blogs were done
it is now 8:26 pm and it is saying 1:26am
I read that it is strongly encouraged but in no way is mandated to make skiers wear helmets in Montreal. Ms. Richardson opted not to, maybe feeling like there was no real danger on a beginner’s slope? Whatever the case, it’s horrible.
Regardless if she makes it through this alive or not, and I pray she does, I would fully embrace Liam Neeson and the rest of her family suing the hell out of every publication that was so quick to report she was dead.
Crazymary- I am so sorry for your family’s loss!
Natasha Richardson is a wonderful actress.
Crazymary, I wish you and your family all the best after you’re loss. My thoughts are with Natasha’s loved ones. I hope she makes a full recovery.
This is so tragic. Skiing is dangerous people!! Don’t think it’s safe for a minute.
Judging by my (limited) experience with ski slopes, here are my conclusions about helmet conventions:
On most Canadian slopes, helmets are natural. Those not wearing them look like amateurs and/or idiots. In conversations with European types, helmets are not exactly “Piste fashion” on the Alps etc. Perhaps that’s why…?
And perhaps I’m oversimplifying. At any rate, hopefully something positive (i.e. increased helmet awareness) will come of this.
Dear Friends and Family of Natasha Richardson!!!!
If any of you have access to the family member at the Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, Please let them know immediately that there is a hope for Natasha – it’s called Hiperbarric Chamber. This machine is a Wonder Maker, especially for people with head injuries – Oxygen is pumped into the Chamber where the person with the injury is placed. Oxygen helps clear the blood particles in the injured area, helps blood circulation in the brain, and even people with old injuries get much better. This machine used all over the world for this kind of trauma, but in USA for some reason it’s not as wide spread. I work with hospitals in Russia, where they use this machine and it helps even kids with Cerebral Palsy. It will not do any further damage, but may help Natasha survive.
Please anyone out there – let them know about it !!!
Dear Natasha is in heaven now. God bless her soul. Give her family strength to cope. RIP. I miss your beautiful smile.
Thanks for the thoughts from my earlier post. My thoughts and prayers are with this family now. The next days and months will be unbearable for them. These things should never happen but unfortunately they do every day. Can’t tell you how many times I have re-lived the events that led up to the accident and what I could have done differently.