Actress Natasha Richardson Dies After Ski Fall

British actress Natasha Richardson has died in hospital after suffering a serious head injury in a skiing accident.

The 45-year-old daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave, fell during a lesson on a nursery slope in Qubec, Canada.

Richardson initially showed no sign of injury but about an hour later she was taken to a nearby hospital after she started having severe headaches.

Later it was confirmed her injuries were critical and she was moved to an intensive care unit before being flown to hospital in New York.

Her husband, Ballymena-born actor Liam Neeson and the couple's two sons, Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12, along with Richardson's mother visited her after she was transferred to Lenox Hospital in New York on Tuesday.

A brief statement issued Neeson's publicist spoke of the family's devastation at the death of their "beloved Natasha".

Neeson, 56, flew from the set of his new film in Toronto to be with his wife.

Alan Nierob said: "Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha.

"They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

Richardson married Schindler's List star Neeson in 1994 after they met on the set of the film Nell.

She starred in a number of Hollywood film's including movies Wild Child, The Parent Trap and Maid in Manhattan.

However, the star was also a successful theatre actress. In 1986 she won the London Drama Critics' most promising newcomer award for her performance as Nina in The Seagull, which she appeared alongside her mother.

Richardson also won a Tony award for best actress in a musical for her performance as Sally Bowles in Sam Mendes’ production of Cabaret on Broadway in 1998.

(JM/BMcC)