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Richardson Tragedy Helps Save 7-Year-Old's Life

Parents take 7-year-old in after seeing story on CNN

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 26, 2009 12:28 PM CDT

(Newser) – The tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson from an epidural hematoma has raised awareness of the dangers of seemingly minor head injuries, and helped save the life of a 7-year-old Ohio girl, CNN reports. Morgan McCracken was hit by a baseball while playing with her father, but seemed OK. “For the next two days, she was perfectly fine,” Donald McCracken said.

After seeing reports on Richardson’s death on TV, her parents decided to check on Morgan. When she complained of a headache, the McCrackens decided to seek help. Doctors confirmed she had an epidural hematoma, just like Richardson, and were able to successfully remove it. Doctors said “that if we hadn’t brought her in … she never would have woken up,” McCracken said.

Actress Natasha Richardson is shown during a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire at Studio 54 in New York.
Actress Natasha Richardson is shown during a performance of "A Streetcar Named Desire" at Studio 54 in New York.   (AP Photo)
In this 998 photo, actress Natasha Richardson accepts her Tony award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, for her part in the Broadway revival of Cabaret.
In this 998 photo, actress Natasha Richardson accepts her Tony award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, for her part in the Broadway revival of "Cabaret."   (AP Photo)
Graphic shows how an epidural hematoma forms between the brain and the skull.
Graphic shows how an epidural hematoma forms between the brain and the skull.
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