[05/24/02]A Hot Springs, Ark., woman who fell near the entrance to a Vicksburg casino Tuesday died this morning at University Medical Center.

Tommie Morris, 82, was at Harrah’s Vicksburg, 1310 Mulberry St., Harrah’s assistant director of marketing Kurt Rushing said.

Morris was walking from the hotel area to the casino when she fell down a flight of five stairs, Rushing said. The casino is at the west end of a gangplank with steps at its east end. A family member said she struck her head.

Harrah’s vice president of operations Virginia Perkins said Morris was taken from the scene by ambulance.

University Medical Center spokesman Beth Wolverton said Morris died about 9:45 a.m. She had been transferred from River Region Medical Center by helicopter. Her son said doctors had not expected her to recover.

Casinos have operated in floating structures along Vicksburg’s water frontage since August 1993. The accident was believed to be the first fatality at any of the four now operating.