Following the death of British actress Natasha Richardson, who had a minor fall on a beginner's ski slope Monday, it emerged later in the week that she turned down a $10 rented ski helmet which could have saved her life. Richardson, 45, fell and suffered fatal bleeding in the brain which left her brain dead.

The wife of fellow actor Liam Neeson, Natasha was taken to a Montreal hospital about an hour after her fall at the Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec, complaining that she did not feel well. She was then flown to New York where life support was turned off. Neeson, 56, and her mother Vanessa Redgrave, 72, were at her bedside when she passed.

One staff member at the Canadian ski resort said:

One staff member said: “We are heartbroken that we didn’t do more to persuade her to wear one. A helmet would have cost her just ten dollars (Canadian).

“Every skier is encouraged to wear a helmet, especially beginners like Natasha. But it is not legally enforced and they can always refuse.

“I remember Natasha coming into the shop before her lesson. She seemed cheerful, bright and extremely beautiful.

“She said she wasn’t a good skier and was a little nervous. She spoke to other staff about her equipment, and they offered her some headgear.”

This avoidable tragedy has now sparked calls for helmets to be mandatory in Canada.

Liam Neeson, who had been filming in Toronto when the accident occurred, has now put his career on hold while he grieves with their two sons. Liam and Natasha were married for 15 years.