Natasha Richardson Still Fighting for Her Life – UPDATED

Actress Natasha Richardson was hospitalized on Monday afternoon in Montreal following a skiing accident. Sources say that the star, 45, suffered a “traumatic head injury” that was not at first apparent. Earlier, a report surfaced that Richardson was brain dead and had passed away. “Time Out New York” posted the story online with a “RIP” headline claiming so. Although public reports had not confirmed it, sources close to Richardson’s family and friends said they have already been told that she did not survive the accident, according to the post.

Per Lindsay Kaplan via Time Out New York:

“EXCLUSIVE: Time Out New York learns of actress’s untimely death. She will be greatly missed. Last night it was reported that the actor Natasha Richardson had critically injured her head in a skiing accident at the Mont Tremblant resort outside of Montreal, Canada. Although public reports have not yet confirmed it, sources close to Richardson’s family and friends say they have already been told the awful news: She did not survived the accident.”

Since then, the post has been taken down but as of yet no retraction has been printed. Lindsay Kaplan has emailed fellow gossiper Perez Hilton about this matter after the original post was deleted, although it seems as if she is still sticking by her original story.

Per Perez Hilton:

“Okay — Sorry about the confusion. We spoke to source, who confirms “brain dead and will not survive”, and therefore, her friends and family are mourning her unofficial death. My apologies with the semantics issue. Please let me know if you have more questions — I have copied Michael Freidson, TONY’s editor in chief.”

Just what does she mean by “Semantic Issue?” Posted moments ago also on Perez Hiltons website is a from the magazine, standing by their earlier statement.

“Time Out New York sincerely apologizes for the confusion. We stand by our sources, and our friend of the family first confirmed “dead” and then called back to say “brain dead.” We find the situation incredibly tragic and obviously wish to only report the facts.

We stand by our new statement that she is brain dead and not expected to survive. Unfortunately, the article was not taken down — our website crashed from traffic. Time Out New York regrets the error.”

Updated at 1:37pm, long after “Time Out New York” reported Richardsons’ death, TMZ reported that she is being transported by ambulance from her hospital in Canada to Montreal-Trudeau Airport where she is expected to be flown to New York City by private jet. Reports are that she is accompanied by a medic team for the flight. Its common knowledge that if you were considered to be brain dead, you would not be flown to another hospital for treatment.

Updated moments ago at 2:00pm, the hospital tells TMZ that Richardson is sedated and suffering from brain swelling, but is not brain dead.

Richardson is the wife of Irish actor Liam Neeson. They have been married since 1994 and have two sons together , Micheal Richard Antonio age 13, and Daniel Jack age 12.

This to me seems like irresponsible journalism at its best. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Richardson/Neeson family.

UPDATE (From The Dame) – A rep for the family will be giving a statement tomorrow. This leads us to believe her condition is still up in the air. No matter what I wish and hope for the best for the friends and family of Natasha.

Via CBC News:

“A spokeswoman for Montreal’s Sacré-Coeur hospital said the actress was “no longer in the country,” but did not comment on where Richardson was transferred to, nor on the extent of her injuries. The spokeswoman did say, however, that a family representative will release a statement Wednesday.”

Image Via: Getty