Natasha Richardson Dies After Head Injury While Skiing

British actress Natasha Richardson has died from head injuries suffered during a skiing accident at the Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec. Her death was confirmed Wednesday evening in a written statement by Alan Nierob, the Los Angeles-based publicist for her husband Liam Neeson. The accident occurred while the actress was taking a skiing lesson. She initial experienced no symptoms from her fall, but later complained of a headache and was taken to a local hospital. Reports indicate that her fall was not very spectacular and occurred at a low speed on a beginner run. She was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

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According to the medical examiner's report, the official cause of death was an epidural hematoma (bleeding between the skull and the brain). This type of injury most commonly occurs when an impact to the head results in a laceration of a blood vessel in the head that forms a blood clot between the skull and the brain's protective covering, called the dura. This clot slowly grows and puts pressure on the brain that, if not treated promptly, can result in death.

There is research pointing to an increase in traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries among skiers and snow boarders worldwide. The majority of the traumatic head injuries seem to be related to an increase and acceptance of higher speeds on the slopes and more acrobatic maneuvers, such as jumping. However, research shows that even mild concussions and other head injuries can have serious long-term effects. Ms. Richardson's head injury appeared to happen on a beginner slope at a lower speed.

Due to the risk of head injuries from skiing accidents, experts recommend that skiers and snowboarders wear a helmet while skiing. Studies show that wearing a helmet while skiing may reduce the risk of head injury by up to 60 percent.

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