Natasha Richardson's mum speaks out on daughter 'dying in the snow' in emotional message about her tragic death

Over the weekend, the family of Natasha Richardson marked what would have been the much-loved actress' 62nd birthday.

The British star tragically died in March 2009 after sustaining a head injury while on a family ski holiday.

With this year marking 16 years since Richardson's passing, her mother, fellow actress Vanessa Redgrave has released a statement, revealing the impact that her death has had on both her family and the industry.

Richardson had been holidaying at the Mont Tremblant Resort just outside of Montreal in the days prior to her passing, and had undertaken a set of ski lessons. After hitting her head following a fall, however, the Parent Trap star began complaining of a severe headache, but refused any initial medical treatment.

Sadly, Richardson's condition worsened, and she was subsequently flown to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

Natasha Richardson was just 45 when she tragically died (MAX NASH/AFP via Getty Images)

Two days after her fall, the mother-of-two - who shared two sons with Taken actor husband Liam Neeson - died from an epidural hematoma.

The condition describes a bleed between the outer membrane that covers the brain and the skull.

Each year, Richardson's family have issued tributes to the late star, including this week, on what would have been the Wild Child actress' birthday.

Specifically, her mother, Oscar-winning stage and screen star Redgrave, and her sister, fellow actress Joely Richardson, issued tear-jerking statements online.

Joely Richardson shared several photos of the sisters alongside their mother (Instagram/@joelyrichardsoninsta)

Joely - famed for her roles as Julia McNamara in the FX drama series Nip/Tuck, and Katherine Parr in the Showtime series The Tudors - shared a series of photos on Instagram on 11 May, showing the sisters as children with their mother.

"Today would have been my sister Tasha’s birthday," Joely, 60, wrote.

"I asked my Ma if she’d like to say anything. This is what she dictated to me."

She then went on to quote 88-year-old Redgrave, who looked back on a holiday to Greece with her then-husband Tony Richardson, during which she was pregnant with her daughter.

"We sat drinking our coffees in Constitution Square," Redgrave is quoted as having told daughter Joely. "Tony said if the baby was a boy we should call him Tom.

"I said if she was a girl I would like her to be called Natasha after Tolstoy ‘s 'War and Peace'."

Vanessa Redgrave with her two daughters (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

The Julia star continued: "Our Natasha, as yes she was a girl, came swimming out of my womb ready for anything.

"I can’t believe that she isn’t swimming somewhere now, in one of the pools or seas we explored."

Redgrave went on to admit: "I will never be reconciled to her dying in the snow, and I’m sure that every mother who has lost a child will have that pain always."

Following her death, Richardson's family released a statement, telling the press: "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."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.