Natasha Richardson 'brain dead'

Mar 18, 2009, 10:20 GMT

US actress Natasha Richardson at the Vanity Fair Party to kick-off the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival in New York USA, 22 April 2008. Actress Natasha Richardson was reported to be brain dead late 17 March 2009 after a seemingly innocuous fall while skiing on a bunny slope at the Mont Tremblant resort in Canada. EPA/PETER FOLEY

Natasha Richardson is reportedly brain dead.

The 45-year-old actress - the wife of Liam Neeson, daughter of Vanessa Redgrave and sister of Joely Richardson - was rushed to hospital after sustaining a serious head injury while skiing in Canada on Monday (16.03.09) and has since been flown to New York's Lenox Hill Hospital.

A source close to the family said: "It's so sad. Vanessa, her sister Lynn, everybody is gathering in New York to say goodbye. No one can believe what has happened, that this once vibrant woman, full of love, of life, is lying there brain dead."

Liam - who has two children with Natasha, 13-year-old Micheal and 12-year-old Daniel - rushed to be by his wife's side from Toronto when he learnt of her accident.

Natasha was taking a private ski lesson on the beginners' run at Mont Tremblant, Canada, but fell down when she reached the bottom of the run.

The actress was not wearing a helmet, but immediately stood up and insisted she was fine.

A Mont Tremblant spokeswoman said: "She was laughing and joking and she walked to her room on her own."

Natasha began complaining of a headache an hour later and was taken to hospital. She was later transferred to the intensive care unit.

A decision was made to fly her back to New York, where the couple live, so she can be with her family for what could be her final moments.

A source said: "Liam is bringing her to New York to die - to spend one last day with her family."

Natasha's uncle Corin Redgrave said: "I have heard from a family representative about Natasha's accident and am very saddened. We are very much thinking of Natasha, Vanessa and Joely, and are sending them our love."

Representatives for Liam and Natasha are yet to release a statement.