Nurse who answered radio prank call on Kate found dead
8 Dec 2012 7:59 AM IST
A nurse who fell victim to a prank telephone call seeking information about the Duchess of Cambridge has died, King Edward VII hospital said on Friday.
The hospital said Jacintha Saldanha took the hoax call by two Australian radio disc jockeys who impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles to elicit information on the duchess. Saldanha later transferred the call to the nurse caring for the Duchess, who is pregnant and was suffering from acute morning sickness. Saldanha was found dead early Friday. Police say her death is unexplained.
‘Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends,’ said John Lofthouse, the hospital's chief executive said in a statement. ‘Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much loved and valued colleague.’ St. James's Palace also expressed sadness at the death. ‘Their royal highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time,’ the palace said in a statement.
The prank phone call took place early Tuesday and the two radio personalities apologised the following day. A woman using the often-mimicked voice of Britain's monarch asked after the duchess' health.
The hospital said Jacintha Saldanha took the hoax call by two Australian radio disc jockeys who impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles to elicit information on the duchess. Saldanha later transferred the call to the nurse caring for the Duchess, who is pregnant and was suffering from acute morning sickness. Saldanha was found dead early Friday. Police say her death is unexplained.
‘Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends,’ said John Lofthouse, the hospital's chief executive said in a statement. ‘Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much loved and valued colleague.’ St. James's Palace also expressed sadness at the death. ‘Their royal highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time,’ the palace said in a statement.
The prank phone call took place early Tuesday and the two radio personalities apologised the following day. A woman using the often-mimicked voice of Britain's monarch asked after the duchess' health.
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