Natasha Richardson's Casket Moved From Wake Site
March 21 2009, Published 6:23 a.m. ET
A day after a tear-filled wake with friends and family, Natasha Richardson’s casket has been moved from the American Irish Historical Society in Manhattan.
Mike Nichols, Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Broderick and Uma Thurman were some of the celebrities who paid their respects to the British actress’ family at a viewing on Friday. Natasha’s husband, Irish actor Liam Neeson, and the couple's two sons, aged 12 and 13, were joined by Richardson's mother, Vanessa Redgrave, and sister, Joely Richardson in receiving well wishers.
Richardson, 45, died last Wednesday in a Manhattan hospital from an epidural hematoma, after a freak skiing accident caused her to bump her head. The injury did not seem serious at first, and the actress initially refused treatment.
"It's been a very, very sad few days and I think it will stay that way for a good while," Broderick said yesterday. Theatres in London's West End dimmed their lights Friday to mark Natasha’s death. Theaters on Broadway in New York City paid the same tribute Thursday night. Richardson won a Tony Award in 1999 for her stage role in Cabaret.
Saturday her mahogany casket left the New York townhouse where the wake was held. On Friday, her uncle Corin Redgrave, paid tribute to Richardson from a London stage. Redgrave, whose sister is Natasha’s mother Vanessa, said about his niece: “She was the most adorable niece, most adorable person. Generous, kind, funny with a brilliant talent. I will miss her terribly and my thoughts at this time are with Vanessa, Liam and the children.”
Richardson’s death was ruled accidental by the New York City Medical Examiner’s office. But a top neurologist told RadarOnline.com that her death was avoidable if doctors had reached her quickly. “A CAT scan would have detected the epidural hematoma immediately and the doctors would have been able to relieve the pressure,” said Dr. Yousef Mohammad, assistant professor of neurology at Ohio State University Medical Center. Dr. Mohammad did not treat Natasha. An epidural hematoma is a type of traumatic brain injury in which there is a buildup of blood between the skull and the outer membrane of the central nervous system called the dura. Without surgical intervention in which the blood is removed to reduce pressure on the brain through a hole made through the skill, death is likely. “This why you should go immediately to the emergency room whenever you have a fall or bump on the head. This is such a tragedy.”
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Multiple reports have surfaced revealing that it took several hours to get the actress from Mont Tremblant resort, north of Montreal, to a hospital capable of treating her.
(Photo: Splash)
