Liam Neeson and the boys 'left shocked and devastated' by Richardson's death

LIAM NEESON was today mourning actress wife Natasha Richardson as tributes poured in from across the theatrical and film worlds.

Neeson and the couple's sons, Daniel, 13, and Micheál, 12, together with other members of the Redgrave theatrical dynasty, had earlier been at Ms Richardson's hospital bedside in New York when the decision was taken to switch off her life support machine.

Ms Richardson, 45, suffered a fatal head injury in a skiing accident in Canada on Monday. Plans were being made today for memorial services in both London and New York. Neeson's anguish was clear as he returned from Manhattan's Lenox Hill Hospital to the family's Upper West Side home last night.

He was accompanied by Ms Richardson's mother Vanessa Redgrave and sister, Joely. Neeson, 56, acknowledged photographers who offered condolences, but said nothing. The family is understood to be planning a small, private funeral followed by the memorial services for the award-winning actress described in tributes as both "beautiful and egoless".

A statement issued on behalf of the family said: "Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

Others present at the hospital included Ms Richardson's first husband, producer Robert Fox, and her niece, the budding actress Daisy Bevan, 17. Lauren Bacall and Meryl Streep, who co-starred with Ms Richardson in the 2007 film Evening, and the writer Joan Didion were among close friends who visited her.

The accident happened during a lesson for beginners on a green run at the Mont Tremblant resort, where the actress had been on holiday with her sons. Ms Richardson, who had not been wearing a helmet, initially refused treatment.

An ambulance crew called by ski staff were told they were not needed, it was revealed today.

Yves Coderre, director of operations at the emergency services company that sent the paramedics, said: "They never saw the patient. So they turned around."

The resort issued a statement which said Ms Richardson did not appear injured after the fall and was walking around shortly afterwards.

She returned to her hotel room but later complained of an extreme headache and another ambulance was called. She was taken to two Canadian hospitals before being flown to Manhattan.

Medical experts believe she suffered from delayed bleeding or swelling of an artery in the brain. Such a potentially fatal injury can only normally be averted if a scan is carried out swiftly.

Neeson, who had been filming in Toronto, rushed to her bedside. It is believed Mr Richardson was pronounced brain dead prior to being airlifted to New York, but a decision was taken to keep her on life support so that her family could gather to say goodbye.

Film mogul Harvey Weinstein, who worked with Ms Richardson on Blow Dry and Waking Up In Reno, said: "For all her talent and beauty, she was egoless."

Lindsay Lohan, who performed aged 12 alongside Ms Richardson in one of her biggest commercial successes, The Parent Trap, in 1998, said: "She was a wonderful woman and actress and treated me like I was her own."