Natasha Richardson's 'organs donated'

Mar 26, 2009, 10:00 GMT

(FILES) A file picture shows Actress Natasha Richardson. Her husband Liam Neeson and mother Vanessa Redgrave reportedly believed the British actress - who died following a skiing accident in Canada last Wednesday (18.03.09) - would have wanted to save the lives of others. EPA/PETER FOLEY

Natasha Richardson's family have donated her organs.

Her husband Liam Neeson and mother Vanessa Redgrave reportedly believed the British actress - who died following a skiing accident in Canada last Wednesday (18.03.09) - would have wanted to save the lives of others.

A friend of the star says Natasha supported organ donation, explaining to People magazine: "She spent so much time fighting the stigma of AIDS, someone like that would naturally donate her organs.

"At least by donating her organs, something good could come out of the tragedy."

After Natasha was taken off life support at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, her loved ones reportedly requested her organs be donated to other patients.

Natasha suffered severe brain trauma after hitting her head while skiing on March 16 at Mont Tremblant resort in Canada. She died two days later aged 45 and was buried last Sunday (22.03.09).

Liam and the couple's sons - Micheal, 13, and Daniel, 12 - are said to be coping as best they can.

Blaine Trump, a close friend of the 45-year-old actor, said: "Liam is doing OK. It takes a while to absorb this. But he says the family needs to move forward. They will take it one step at a time."

Micheal and Daniel are set to go back to school soon, while Liam is to return to work on his latest film 'Chloe'.

Vanessa has postponed her performance in a one woman show in New York about the loss of a husband and daughter.