Natasha Richardson

[draymorton]

My god. What a shocking, dreadful, wholly unnecessary loss. A gifted actress (especially onstage) and, perhaps more importantly, a very nice lady.

Just goes to show that sh*t happens and ya never know. Cherish the present and live it like you mean it.

[mwfanelli2]

My god. What a shocking, dreadful, wholly unnecessary loss. A gifted actress (especially onstage) and, perhaps more importantly, a very nice lady.

Just goes to show that sh*t happens and ya never know. Cherish the present and live it like you mean it.

Or, rather than "sh*t happens", just wear a ski helmet. I lived in Colorado for over 6 years: the ones who died chose to ignore the helmet, usually because of fashion concerns. They are small, light, and effective. No good excuses.

I was amazed when I heard she had died. It seemed so minor in the beginning. What a shock to her family.

[barb_48]

Yes it is sad, when someone passes on in such a terrible way.
As for helmets, yes I think everyone should wear one, but there is still no guarantee.
A few weeks ago, a highschool ski trip resulted in the death of a 17 year old girl. She was wearing a helmet, and she didn't hit a big tree either. Maybe it was the angle of the hit who knows, haven't heard anything on the news of late.

[Cathathome]

It's always sad when someone is injured or killed in "freak" accidents. As much as I feel for Ms. Richardson's family, my heart also goes out to the ski instructor who was with her at the time. What a burden to bear.

Helmet laws being what they are, it's usually only mandatory for children. I've never worn a helmet to ski, though my kids do, but always wear a bike helmet. Maybe I have to rethink my priorities.

[LightBright]

Im not really into Hollywood stuff but when I saw her photo and heard that she passed on, I felt rather sad and connected in some way. Sad loss indeed.

[pafindr]

The sad thing is that she could have been treated but refused.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...7133542&page=1

Richardson fell Monday at the Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec. She initially appeared fine and joked about the fall, but the ski patrol insisted she see a doctor. Richardson declined, the resort said in a statement Tuesday.

Thursday, ABC News learned more details about what happened between when Richardson fell and when she sought medical attention. At 12:43 p.m. Monday, the first call to the paramedics was made. An ambulance arrived at 1 p.m. and transported Richardson from the foot of the mountain to the infirmary by sleigh.

Richardson thought she was fine and didn't want to stay at the infirmary. At 1:10 p.m., Richardson signed hospital waiver paperwork and walked 300 yards to hotel along with her ski instructor. She was back in her room by 1:30 p.m.

At 2:59 p.m., paramedics received a second call for help. An ambulance showed up at the hotel exactly ten minutes later. Richardson was conscious but showing signs that made paramedics call the hematology department at the Centre Hospitalier Laurentien in Ste-Agathe, where the ambulance took her.