Natasha Richardson “Brain Dead” After Ski Accident

Tony award-winning actress Natasha Richardson is in critical condition in a New York hospital after being severely injured in a skiing accident in Quebec.

“There is no chance,” a family friend told PEOPLE on Tuesday night. “It is a fact that her heart is beating but she is brain dead.”

“It’s not official yet,” says the friend, “but they basically will detach her [from life support].”

Richardson, 45, who is also the wife of actor Liam Neeson and the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave, suffered a head injury after falling on a Canadian ski slope.

A statement from the Mont Tremblant resort said Richardson fell on a beginners trail and later reported not feeling well. After the severity of the injury was diagnosed, she was then flown from Montreal to New York.

“She did not show any visible sign of injury but the ski patrol followed strict procedures and brought her back to the bottom of the slope and insisted she should see a doctor,” said the statement from the resort, about 80 miles northwest of Montreal.

The ski resort said the instructor and a member of the ski patrol accompanied Richardson to her hotel, where they again recommended she be seen by a doctor. Mont Tremblant spokeswoman Catherine Lacasse told the Associated Press Richardson said she seemed fine at first.

An hour later, Richardson complained of a headache and the resort called 911 - she was then taken to a Montreal hospital via ambulance. Richardson was conscious when she left the resort.

“She had a headache, so we sent her to the hospital,” Lacasse said. “There were no signs of impact and no blood, nothing.”

The New York Times quoted Lyne Lortie, a spokeswoman for the resort, as saying Richardson wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Richardson won a Tony award for best actress in a musical in 1998 for her role in “Cabaret.” She married Neeson in 1994 after the two appeared in the film “Nell” - they have two sons.

Sister Joely Richardson is also an actress, best known for starring in ‘Nip/Tuck.’

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