DOC TELLS OF COPTER FAILU; COULD AIRLIFT HAVE SAVED NATASHA?Byline: By LESLEY ROBERTS MEDICS believe Natasha Richardson could have been saved by a rescue helicopter. Dr Tarek Razek says the lack of a medical airlift in Canada's Quebec province may have contributed to her death following a ski acccident. Actress Natasha, 45, the wife of actor Liam Neeson, suffered a fatal head injury after falling on a beginners' slope at the Mont Tremblant resort Mont Tremblant Resort is a large year round resort about one and a half hours north of Montreal. It is best known as a ski destination, but also features a lake suitable for swimming, and a golf course in the summer months. on Monday. Dr Razek said: "It's impossible for me to comment specifically about her case but what I could say is driving to Mont Tremblant from Montreal is a two-hour trip. "And the closest trauma centre is in the city. Our system isn't set up for traumas and doesn't match what's available in other Canadian cities, let alone in the States. "A helicopter is the fastest way to get from point A to point B." Natasha died on Wednesday at Lenox Hill Hospital Lenox Hill Hospital, on Manhattan's Upper East Side, is a 652-bed, acute care hospital and a major teaching affiliate of NYU Medical Center. Founded in 1857 as the German Dispensary, today's 10-building Lenox Hill Hospital complex has occupied its present site since 1868 when it , New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . Family members - including her mother Vanessa Redgrave Vanessa Redgrave, CBE (born 30 January, 1937) is an Academy Award-winning English actress and member of the Redgrave family, one of the enduring theatrical dynasties. She is also a social activist for human rights. - said farewell to her ahead of the funeral in the city today. Neeson, 56, was the last to leave the private viewing for his wife at the American Irish Historical Society in the city. He was joined by the couple's sons Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12, and Richardson's mum Vanessa, sister Joely Richardson Joely Kim Richardson (born 9 January 1965) is an English actress. Biography Early life Richardson was born in London to a theatrical family, the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and late director Tony Richardson, the granddaughter of Sir Michael Redgrave and Joely's daughter Daisy. During the viewing, Neeson hugged friends, including Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman. Last night Scotland's leading ski injury expert said Richardson could have survived if she'd worn a helmet. Aviemore-based GP Mike Langran said the actress must have suffered a freak injury. Quebec officials are considering making helmets compulsory after it emerged Richardson declined to wear a pounds 6 rented helmet. Dad-of-two Mike, who runs the website ski-injury.com, agrees this measure could save many lives. He said: "I'm afraid she's been extremely unfortunate. "I can only think she sustained an injury to part of the head where bone is thinner, perhaps above her ear. "An important artery runs there and if damaged, it would have caused bleeding in her head. "I'm not in favour of forcing skiers to wear helmets but in these circumstances a helmet might have protected her." CAPTION(S): Mourning: Vanessa Redgrave, centre right, arrives with granddaughter Daisy, left, and daughter Joely for a family event in New York after the death of actress Natasha, above with husband Liam Neeson; Hugs: Uma Thurman |
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