World Scene: United States

Injured actress flown to NYC

Members of Natasha Richardson's venerable acting family were seen gathering near the Tony-winning actress after she suffered a reportedly serious head injury during a beginner's skiing lesson in Quebec.

Richardson, part of the Redgrave dynasty of British actors and the wife of Liam Neeson, was flown from Montreal to New York on Tuesday after the accident, a person close to the family, who asked not to be identified.

Richardson's condition was very serious and her family was highly distressed, The New York Times reported, citing two people close to her family who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Richardson, 45, is the elder daughter of Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave and the late director Tony Richardson. She fell Tuesday during a private lesson Monday at the famed Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec.

"We know that she has had an accident but we really do not know any more details," said Kika Markham, who is married to Richardson's uncle, Corin Redgrave. "We are very concerned."

(China Daily 03/19/2009 page10)