Natasha Richardson, wife of Liam Neeson, said to be brain dead

Most news outlets right now are still reporting that Richardson, who fell during a ski lesson in Quebec yesterday, is critically injured but Time Out New York and now the New York Post say it's even worse than that:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03172009/news/worldnews/natasha_richardson_is_brain_dead_160027.htm

This means her brain has ceased activity but the other organs will still work with the assistance of life support.

How awful. I've seen some bewilderment at how a fall on the bunny slope--what they call beginners' slopes at ski resorts--could cause that kind of damage. It must have been a bad fall because apparently she was urged to see a doctor. I've seen speculation that the fall might have cut an artery, causing swelling in the brain and a severe headache, then falling into a coma within a short period of time. We also don't know if there are other congenital conditions that might have contributed to the severity of her injuries. Sigh...that's why I don't ski. Too easy to get hurt.

Condolensces and prayers to Liam Neeson and their kids.

Update: Wish it was better news but it seems to confirm what was reported yesterday:

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/03/17/2009-03-17_natasha_richardsons_family_friends_gathe.html

Update 2: Columnist Liz Smith says Richardson is off of life support (sorry about the crass "pulled the plug" headline but that's TMZ for you)

http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/18/natasha-richardson-life-support-plug-pulled/