| The death of movie and Broadway star Natasha | | | | can be closely monitored on the trip. Unfortunately, |
| Richardson, the 1997 death of Robert Kennedy's son | | | | Natasha Richardson turned down medical attention |
| Michael in 1997, and the 1998 death of Senator and | | | | since she felt fine and had no apparent injuries. |
| one time television star and singer Sonny Bono as a | | | | Approximately one hour later, according to various |
| result of skiing accidents highlights and illustrates the | | | | reports, Ms. Richardson developed a headache and |
| dangers of both hidden and obvious injuries that can | | | | was later taken to a hospital where she later passed |
| result in paralysis or death. The cause of Natasha | | | | away. |
| Richardson's death, according to the autopsy report, | | | | When a person falls or receives a blow to the head, |
| was an epidural hematoma. Ellen Borakove, a | | | | the brain may bounce within the cavity of the skull |
| spokeswoman for the New York City medical | | | | and may cause shearing or tearing of the blood |
| examiner's office, stated that an epidural hematoma | | | | vessels surrounding the brain and Dura. According to |
| causes bleeding between the skull and the lining of | | | | the University of Missouri Health Care website, when |
| the brain. Doctors also reported that if Ms. Richardson | | | | the blood vessels tear, blood accumulates within the |
| had sought or agreed to medical attention | | | | space between the Dura and the skull. This is known |
| immediately following the accident, there is a high | | | | as an epidural hematoma (epi-door-ul hem-a-to-ma), |
| probability that she would have lived. | | | | or blood clot at the covering of the brain. |
| Sadly, most head injuries are caused by failure to | | | | It is equally important for skiers to take other safety |
| wear the proper protective gear, whether the | | | | precautions that will help lessen the risk of accidental |
| victims are skiing, riding a bicycle, riding a motorcycle, | | | | falls or hitting trees and other skiers, etc. Keeping |
| or engaging in other higher risk activities. Ms. | | | | track of the weather and changing snow and slope |
| Richardson was not wearing a helmet. Protective | | | | conditions throughout the day, sticking to skiing on |
| gear for skiers is available in a variety of colors, | | | | slopes that equal a skier's level of expertise, following |
| styles, and designs, so that skiers and persons | | | | resort and slope rules, and knowing where |
| engaging in other activities do not have to give | | | | emergency services at the resort are located is |
| anything up in the way of being fashionable and | | | | imperative. A skier, no matter what their age, their |
| comfortable. Goggles are also available in a variety of | | | | level of expertise, or any medical training they may |
| colors and styles. Safety should always come first. | | | | have had, should immediately seek medical attention |
| Since symptoms are often not immediately noticeable | | | | after any fall, no matter how minor the fall seems. In |
| following a fall or other accident, it is imperative for | | | | the case of Michael Kennedy's death CNN - Coroner: |
| anyone suffering a fall on the ski slopes, regardless | | | | Kennedy death accidental - January 1, 1998 reported |
| of their level of expertise, to immediately seek first | | | | that, in addition to not wearing a helmet, the family |
| aid advice and an examination on-site at the resort's | | | | had been playing a form of ski football, and had been |
| first aid or emergency center. This way, a person | | | | warned of the dangers of this sport by a ski patrol |
| with a suspected traumatic brain injury can be flown | | | | earlier in the day. |
| or driven by ambulance to the nearest hospital and | | | | |