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The world of entertainment paid tribute today to the British actress Natasha Richardson, who has died at a New York hospital after a skiing accident.

Richardson, 45, suffered a seemingly innocuous fall on a nursery slope during a skiing lesson in Canada on Monday. She was initially able to walk away from the incident but she complained of headaches, and it later emerged that she had suffered a serious brain injury.

The wife of the actor Liam Neeson was flown by private jet to New York from Montreal on Tuesday wrapped in blankets with tubes covering her face, and taken to Lenox Hill Hospital, a clinic on the Upper East Side of the city, where she died yesterday.

Neeson, who starred in Schindler's List, was said to have held her hand and caressed her face during the journey to the hospital.

"Liam Neeson, his sons and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," said Alan Nierob, Neeson's publicist, announcing her death.

"They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

Wearing a grey wool hat, a baggy jacket, scarf and jeans, Neeson looked haggard and exhausted with big bags under his eyes as he returned home after the announcement. The actor left the hospital in a black Escalade 4x4 and waved wanly to well-wishers as he arrived back at his West Side home carrying an overnight bag.

Richardson's mother, Vanessa Redgrave, appeared dazed after flying into New York from London to be at her daughter’s bedside. Following her were Richardson’s younger sister, Joely, who stars in the US drama Nip/Tuck. Richardson’s sons, Michael, 13, and Daniel, 12, were also seen at the hospital, along with a niece, Daisy Bevan.

The hospital was believed to be in the process of carrying out a post-mortem today.

Friends told the press that Michael was with his mother on the ski slope when she fell and that Daniel was in New York. Neeson, 56, had been filming in Toronto.

Tributes were paid to Richardson from throughout the acting world today and from charities she represented, while it was announced that Broadway would turn its lights out for one minute at 8pm as a symbolic gesture to pay its respects.

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