Natasha Richardson Brain Dead, Say Multiple Reports (UPDATED)
UPDATED 5 PM:
Hours after reports that Natasha Richardson suffered a serious brain injury while skiing, Time Out New York, Fox News and the NY Post claim that she is brain dead, which TMZ refutes.
Richardson is currently en route to New York from Canada via private jet, her second hospital transfer in 24 hours. The flight has been confirmed by the AP and a hospital spokesman.
Fox claims she is coming home to then be taken off life support and allowed to die:
Sources close to Tony-award winning actress Natasha Richardson tell FOXNews.com that the 45-year-old actress is brain dead, and being transported back to New York City before she is to be taken off life support.
They had no official confirmation, but at 12:39 TONY wrote that she is brain dead, although alive:
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 will not survive the accident, and is currently brain dead.
The NY Post reports:
Actress Natasha Richardson is brain dead, after falling in a ski accident in Canada, friends told The Post today.
The TONY updated their story at 1:58 with a clarification about their initial RIP headline, seen below:
TONY's sources have clarified the situation: Richardson is brain dead but has not passed away. Sources close to the family indicate that they are treating it as a death. We will update you on this sad story as circumstances warrant. We apologize to the family and to our readers.
TMZ, however, hears differently:
The hospital tells TMZ Richardson is sedated and suffering from brain swelling -- but is not brain dead.
Huffington Post | Katherine Thomson | March 17, 2009 04:00 PM