Royal Prank Nurse Dead: Palace Saddened By Suicide

Royal Pranks Results in Nurses’ Death

Two Austrailian shock jocks contacted the King Edward Vll Hospital, claiming to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. They were calling to inquire about the present status of the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. The Duchess has been hospitalized, following severe pregnacy related issues, for several days.

The prank call was transferred to nurse Jacintha Saldanha. The nurse gave the pranksters privileged information about the Duchess. The police were called on December 7 after a report was made that a woman had been found unconscious. A London ambulance service declared the nurse dead at the scene. The death is not being considered as suspicious, and suicide is presently considered the cause of death. Perhaps the nurse was nervous about possible repurcussions of her actions.

The nurse leaves her husband, one son, and one daughter. The hospital reported that she had worked there for more than four years and that she was an excellent nurse, respected and popular with her colleagues.

The two disc-jockeys, Mel Greig and Michael Christian have been suspended from their show until further notice are now faces questioning from NSW police after a formal request from Scotland Yard, according to the Herald Sun. “It is (a non-suspicious death) but if you’re going to prepare a coroner’s brief you will need to look at all aspects of it and there’s this question about what was said and done,” NSW Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas said.

“SCA and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital,” TMZ.com quoted Southern Cross Austereo, the company that owns the station as saying in a statement.

SCA said the CEO has spoken with both the DJs – Mel Greig and Michael Christian, who are “deeply shocked” over the tragedy.

“SCA and the hosts have decided that they will not return to their radio show until further notice out of respect for what can only be described as a tragedy,” the company added.

In a letter to Max Moore-Wilton, chairman of 2DayFM’s parent company Southern Cross Austereo, hospital chairman Lord Glenarthur protested the action of DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian.

Lord Glenarthur said Ms Saldanha’s death was “tragic beyond words”.

“King Edward VII’s Hospital cares for sick people, and it was extremely foolish of your presenters even to consider trying to lie their way through to one of our patients, let alone actually make the call,” he wrote.

“Then to discover that, not only had this happened, but that the call had been pre-recorded and the decision to transmit approved by your station’s management, was truly appalling.

“The immediate consequence of these premeditated and ill-considered actions was the humiliation of two dedicated and caring nurses who were simply doing their job tending to their patients.

“The longer term consequence has been reported around the world and is, frankly, tragic beyond words.

“I appreciate that you cannot undo the damage which has been done but I would urge you to take steps to ensure that such an incident could never be repeated.”

A statement released by Prince William and Kate Middleton read: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha. 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.”

British journalist and CCN host Piers Morgan tweeted: “The dumb Aussie DJs’ prank was silly but they clearly never expected to be taken seriously, let alone possibly cause someone’s suicide” while Melbourne broadcaster Neil Mitchell said “what happened in London is a breach of talk radio codes not necessarily breach of codes covering “light entertainment”.

Social Media Outrage

Here is a sampling of the emotionally-wrought sentiments and accusations being flung about:
derp (?@BooKhaki) — “I hope Mel Greig and Michael Christian lose their jobs.”
Miss Sam Bucca ? x ?(@suzannne_x) — “Awful news about the receptionist committing suicide.. still gloating about your “amazing prank” now?? @mContheradio @MelGreigHot30?”
Ryan Williams (@razza699) — “I hope the nurses family take @MelGreigHot30 and @mcontheradio for all they have”
LFC Fans Corner (?@LFCFansCorner)– “Are you two still laughing about your ‘amazing’ prank in the hospital!? @melgreighot30 @mcontheradio you disgust me.”
Chris H ?(@Northern_Munky) — “Say, @MelGreigHot30 @MContheradio – That nurse you pranked in London is dead. Hang your heads. You should be banned from broadcasting.”
Michael (twcau) ?(@twcau) — “Dear @2DayFMSydney, you need to sack Mel Greig, Michael Christian & their producers. Ill conceived prank has lead to suicide. #unforgivable”
Sara ?(@Sara_156) — “I hope you’re happy with yourselves @MContheradio and @MelGreigHot30 Royal prank my arse #RIP”
Harminder Boughan ?(@Minz_B) — “Receptionist who was duped by @MelGreigHot30 @MContheradio prank call dies in suspected suicide. Hope the pair of you feel like sh*t! #Scum”
Lewis Roman ?(@lewisroman) — “Hope the Australian radio DJs Mel Greig & Michael Christian that caused kate middletons hospital secretary to commit suicide burn in hell.”

Jacintha, 46, known to her friends as Jess, was born in the Mangalore region of India, according to the (paywalled) Times. Upon completing her medical training and qualifying as a nurse, she, like tens of thousands of her countrywomen left her homeland in search of a better life in the West, along with her husband.