What killed Jacintha Saldanha? Kate Middleton’s pranked nurse is dead
THE nurse who put talked to two Australian radio tricksters was called Jacintha Saldanha. She was the hospital receptionist who put 2day FM’s Mel Greig and Michael Christian through to the Duchess of Cambridge’s rooms at King Edward VII Hospital.
Now Jacintha Saldanha, 46, is dead. She most likely killed herself. She was found unconscious at an address near the private Central London hospital at around 9.30am this morning.
Ms Saldanha had two children.
Reactions have been swift. Are the two events linked? The two DJs have deleted their Twitter accounts. Their radio station has suspended them.
Kate and Prince William are said to be upset at the nurse’s death. In a statement, St James’s Palace says:
“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.”
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, adds:
“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.”
A cruel hoax? Was it cruel? It was dumb and childish. Did the DJs think their prank would have a hand in a woman’s death? Surely not.
Listen to it here.
The hospital has issued a stament:
“It is with very deep sadness that we confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha. Jacintha has worked at the King Edward VII’s Hospital for more than four years. She was an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues. We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call to the hospital. The hospital had been supporting her throughout this difficult time.”
She was the victim. That much is certain.
Update: According to her mangement company, Mel Greig:
Most people will find it hard to believe, but Adelaide radio darling Mel Greig’s incredibly successful media career, which includes a long list of radio gigs and a stint on Channel 7’s Amazing Race Australia, almost didn’t happen. Most also won’t believe she used to be shy, had no confidence, ran away from home and left school at the age of 15. It was volunteering at Fresh FM at the age of 16 that was Mel’s saving grace and sparked a love affair with the spotlight.
Now at 29, Mel considers herself ‘one of the lucky ones that turned my life around’, and, as a co-owner of a successful business, she is immensely proud of her 13-year career in radio, that is still going strong.
A brilliantly engaging MC and hostess, Mel has hosted a string of VIP events in Adelaide and interstate, including the Clipsal 500, Magarey Medal Red Carpet arrivals, Unley Road fashion week, Northern Territory fashion week, the SA4QLD Gala Dinner and numerous movie premieres.
Mel is a current announcer on Adelaide’s Mix 102.3 and brings a balanced mix of humor, gregariousness and passion to the role. With a resume that includes Triple M, SAFM, Fresh FM and Nova Adelaide radio stations, as well as Sydney stations 2day FM and Nova, there isn’t much Mel doesn’t know about radio.
Mel likes long walks on the beach and is an advocate for world peace.
More here.
Posted: 7th, December 2012 | In: Reviews, Royal Family Comments (43) | TrackBack | Permalink
