Indian Nurse in Britain’s royal family hoax call dies

An Indian nurse at the hospital which treated Prince William’s pregnant wife Catherine was found dead on Friday, days after being duped by a hoax call from an Australian radio station.

The private King Edward VII hospital in central London named the nurse as Jacintha

The hospital did not comment on media reports that she had committed suicide, while police said they were treating the death as unexplained.

The royal couple said they were “deeply saddened” by the news, saying staff had looked after them “wonderfully well” during the three nights that Kate spent in hospital being treated for severe morning sickness.

Saldanha had accepted the hoax call from two Australian radio presenters pretending to be Queen Elizabeth II and William’s father Prince Charles, before passing it onto a colleague who divulged details of Kate’s condition.

The hoax caused a global media storm, and the hospital’s chief executive John Lofthouse said it had been “supporting her through this very difficult time”.

He said the hospital, which has been a favourite with royals for years, had lost “a first-

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends. Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much loved and valued colleague,” he added.

In what it billed as the “biggest royal prank ever”, a presenter from Sydney’s 2Day FM station called the hospital on Monday pretending to be the queen and asked to speak to the former Kate Middleton.

Saldanha said, “Oh yes, just hold on, Ma’am”, before putting her through to another nurse who revealed that Kate “hasn’t had any retching with me since I’ve been on duty and she has been sleeping on and off”.

The hospital had expressed its deep regret over the incident and St James’ Palace, the office of William and Kate, said on Friday the royals had not complained.

“At no point did the palace complain to the hospital about the incident. On the contrary, we offered our full and heartfelt support to the nurses involved and hospital staff at all times,” a spokesman said.

Police said officers were called at 9:25 am (0925 GMT) on Friday morning to reports of a woman unconscious at an address close to the hospital.

“London Ambulance Service attended and a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Inquiries continue to establish the circumstances of the incident. The death is being treated as unexplained,” a statement said.

Police said results of a post-mortem were due this weekend, but the death is not thought to be suspicious.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha,” said a statement from St James’ Palace.

“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.”

Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “It is deeply saddening that a simple human error due to a cruel hoax could lead to the death of a dedicated and caring member of the nursing profession.”

Radio presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian apologised earlier this week for the call, even as the station was milking the publicity for it.

“We were very surprised that our call was put through. We thought we’d be hung up on as soon as they heard our terrible accents,” they said in a statement, adding they were “very sorry if we’ve caused any issues”.

The presenters insisted it was lighthearted and even Prince Charles joked about the incident, saying to reporters asking him about Kate’s condition on Thursday: “How do you know I’m not a radio station?”

The duchess’s admission to hospital with acute morning sickness on Monday was the first the world knew of her pregnancy, which is at a very early stage. The 30-year-old left on Thursday, saying she was feeling much better.

The baby, the couple’s first, will be third in line to the British throne after Charles and William.