Natasha Richardson's tragic death is pronounced accident, the New York City medical examiner's office confirms, adding that she died of "epidural hematoma".
- March 20, 2009
AceShowbiz -
On Thursday, March 19, just one day after Natasha Richardson was pronounced dead, the New York City medical examiner's office confirmed in a statement that the actress' death was an accident. Detailing on the specific cause of her death, medical examiner spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said the Tony Award-winning star suffered from an "epidural hematoma due to blunt impact to the head", which causes bleeding between the skull and the brain's covering.
The bleeding, according to the Associated Press, "is often caused by a skull fracture, and it can quickly produce a blood clot that puts pressure on the brain. That pressure can force the brain downward, pressing on the brain stem that controls breathing and other vital functions." Not immediately feeling sick, just like what Natasha experienced after her fall, is something common for patients as "the bleeding may take time to emerge," the AP continued.
Dr. Keith Siller of New York University Langone Medical Center told AP that an epidural hematoma "is a very treatable condition if you're aware of what the problem is and the patient is quickly transferred to a hospital. But there is very little time to correct this." In Natasha's case, she might have survived should she receive immediate treatment.
Natasha Richardson fell during a private skiing lesson on a beginners trail at the Mont Tremblant Resort in the Canadian province of Quebec on Monday, March 16. She didn't wear helmet when the incident occurred, yet admitted feeling fine and showed no visible injury on her body. However, about an hour later she complained of headache.
Taken to the Centre Hospitalier Laurentien in Ste-Agathe, she was later transferred to Hopital du Sacre-Coeur in Montreal. Her husband, actor Liam Neeson, who was in Toronto shooting his film "Chloe", quickly rushed to her side. Held overnight at Hopital du Sacre-Coeur, she was discharged from the facility on Tuesday, March 17 and flown to N.Y.C. via private jet to be treated at Lenox Hill Hospital, where she was put under life support.
Natasha lost her fight for life Wednesday, March 18, hours after being removed from life support. She is survived by husband Liam and their two sons; Micheal Richard Antonio and Daniel Jack.
