November 06, 2008	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 7, 1429

LOS ANGELES, Nov 5: Michael Crichton, author of more than a dozen best-sellers, including “Jurassic Park” and “The Andromeda Strain”, died of cancer in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was 66.

Crichton died “unexpectedly ... after a courageous and private battle against cancer”, according to a statement released by his family.

Crichton was the author of numerous blockbusters, some of which sold over 100 million copies, and which were translated in 30 languages worldwide.

He was also the creator of the international hit television hospital drama series “E.R.”—AFP