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Friday, 27 March 2009

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Could Natasha Richardson have been saved?

Experts claim that the actress could have lived

Natasha Richardson died after falling on a skiing trip

After Natasha Richardson lost her life after a skiing accident at Canada’s Mont Tremblant ski resort on 16 March, tributes poured in for the beautiful actress.

Husband Liam Neeson, 56, and sons Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12, are ‘profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone,’ says a spokesperson.

But now those close to Natasha are starting to wonder if her death could’ve been prevented.

The 45-year-old was taking a ski lesson on one of the resort’s easy green runs when she fell, hitting the left side of her head and tearing a blood vessel in her brain. Natasha wasn’t wearing a helmet, but initially seemed OK – dismissing her injuries and even signing a medical form saying she didn’t need help.

‘Two ski-patrol officers checked her out,’ says Catherine Lacasse, a spokeswoman for the resort. ‘She was talking and making jokes. They advised her to see a doctor and she refused.’

Experts believe that if she’d sought proper medical advice sooner, Natasha’s life may have been saved. Peter McCabe of the brain injury association Headway says: ‘In that first golden hour the chances of survival are greater if the patient is assessed quickly.’
 
Within an hour of leaving the slopes, Natasha complained of headaches and nausea as the blood clot in her brain got bigger. She was rushed to a nearby hospital then transferred to Hôpital Du Sacré-Coeur De Montréal.

Liam, who was filming close by, joined her. By then, she had limited brain function.

She was moved to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, where her mother Vanessa Redgrave, 72, sister Joely Richardson, 44, and other friends and family said their goodbyes. Natasha’s life support was switched off on 18 March.

See the full story about Natasha Richardson in Now magazine dated 30 March 2009 - out now.