Hospital official says the nurse who treated the Duchess of Cambridge and was pranked by radio show hosts was a "much loved and valued colleague." Deborah Gembara reports.
2Day FM hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christian were given details of the Duchess of Cambridge’s condition after making a prank phone call to the hospital where she is being treated for acute morning sickness.
Prince WiIliam and wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, as they leave the King Edward VII hospital. Source: AFP
2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian. Source: AFP
SUPERMARKET giant Coles has pulled advertising from Sydney radio station 2Day FM as the fallout from the royal prank call continues.
Coles announced today it had informed the station's management it would be removing all its advertising from the station as soon as possible.
"We understand Australians are clearly angry and upset by what appear to be tragic consequences of the 2Day FM UK hospital prank," the supermarket said on its Facebook page. "We have instructed 2Day FM to remove all Coles group advertising from the station."
A spokesman for Telstra said the telco has suspended "advertising on the station until an investigation into the issue has concluded". It is understood Optus is reviewing the situation and will seek a explanation from 2Day FM.
Sydney 2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian have been taken off air after their prank call to London's King Edward VII Hospital was linked to the death of respected nurse and mother Jacintha Saldanha, 46, on Friday.
The hospital was treating the Duchess of Cambridge for acute morning sickness.
Ms Greig and Mr Christian apologised for their "lighthearted" prank, but have been bombarded with online abuse for their stunt and have since disabled their Twitter accounts.
A statement from 2Day FM's parent company, Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), said it is "deeply saddened by the tragic news".
"Chief executive officer Rhys Holleran has spoken with the presenters, they are both deeply shocked and at this time we have agreed that they not comment about the circumstances," the statement said.
"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."
Police are not treating Ms Saldanha's death as suspicious and numerous British media outlets have labelled it a suicide.
She was unable to be revived after being found unconscious at nursing staff accommodation near London's exclusive King Edward VII Hospital at 9.35am (local time) on Friday.
Ms Saldanha earlier this week answered a call to the hospital from Greig and Christian posing as the Queen and Prince Charles. She was taken in and passed the call to the ward nurse.
The pair were given confidential details on the condition of the Duchess of Cambridge, who was being treated for acute morning sickness.
"We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call ...," hospital chief executive John Lofthouse told reporters on Friday afternoon, confirming her death.
A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the incident as a "terrible tragedy". "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time," she said in a statement today.
Earlier in the week, Mr Lofthouse described the prank as "foolish" and said the hospital would review its telephone protocol as a result. Ms Saldanha was not disciplined over the incident.
He described Ms Saldanha, married and with two children, as a "first-class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients".
"Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much-loved and valued colleague. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and her friends," he said.
A brief statement from relatives said Ms Saldanha's family was "deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Jacintha" and asked for "privacy at this difficult time".
News of Ms Saldanha's death was acknowledged by the royal family.
"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," said a statement issued by St James's Palace.
A royal aide confirmed to Sky News no complaint was lodged with the hospital following the prank.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy today said Ms Saldanha's death was "dreadful and tragic", and confirmed the Australian Communications and Media Authority had received complaints about the hoax call.
"The decision about whether to investigate the call for possible breaches of the commercial radio codes of practice is one for the independent regulator," he said.
The prank call was pre-recorded and vetted by lawyers before being broadcast to listeners in Sydney.
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for support
2Day FM hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christian were given details of the Duchess of Cambridge’s condition after making a prank phone call to the hospital where she is being treated for acute morning sickness.
Prince WiIliam and wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, as they leave the King Edward VII hospital. Source: AFP
2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian. Source: AFP
SUPERMARKET giant Coles has pulled advertising from Sydney radio station 2Day FM as the fallout from the royal prank call continues.
Coles announced today it had informed the station's management it would be removing all its advertising from the station as soon as possible.
"We understand Australians are clearly angry and upset by what appear to be tragic consequences of the 2Day FM UK hospital prank," the supermarket said on its Facebook page. "We have instructed 2Day FM to remove all Coles group advertising from the station."
A spokesman for Telstra said the telco has suspended "advertising on the station until an investigation into the issue has concluded". It is understood Optus is reviewing the situation and will seek a explanation from 2Day FM.
Sydney 2Day FM presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian have been taken off air after their prank call to London's King Edward VII Hospital was linked to the death of respected nurse and mother Jacintha Saldanha, 46, on Friday.
The hospital was treating the Duchess of Cambridge for acute morning sickness.
Ms Greig and Mr Christian apologised for their "lighthearted" prank, but have been bombarded with online abuse for their stunt and have since disabled their Twitter accounts.
A statement from 2Day FM's parent company, Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), said it is "deeply saddened by the tragic news".
"Chief executive officer Rhys Holleran has spoken with the presenters, they are both deeply shocked and at this time we have agreed that they not comment about the circumstances," the statement said.
"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."
Police are not treating Ms Saldanha's death as suspicious and numerous British media outlets have labelled it a suicide.
She was unable to be revived after being found unconscious at nursing staff accommodation near London's exclusive King Edward VII Hospital at 9.35am (local time) on Friday.
Ms Saldanha earlier this week answered a call to the hospital from Greig and Christian posing as the Queen and Prince Charles. She was taken in and passed the call to the ward nurse.
The pair were given confidential details on the condition of the Duchess of Cambridge, who was being treated for acute morning sickness.
"We can confirm that Jacintha was recently the victim of a hoax call ...," hospital chief executive John Lofthouse told reporters on Friday afternoon, confirming her death.
A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Julia Gillard described the incident as a "terrible tragedy". "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time," she said in a statement today.
Earlier in the week, Mr Lofthouse described the prank as "foolish" and said the hospital would review its telephone protocol as a result. Ms Saldanha was not disciplined over the incident.
He described Ms Saldanha, married and with two children, as a "first-class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients".
"Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much-loved and valued colleague. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family and her friends," he said.
A brief statement from relatives said Ms Saldanha's family was "deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Jacintha" and asked for "privacy at this difficult time".
News of Ms Saldanha's death was acknowledged by the royal family.
"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," said a statement issued by St James's Palace.
A royal aide confirmed to Sky News no complaint was lodged with the hospital following the prank.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy today said Ms Saldanha's death was "dreadful and tragic", and confirmed the Australian Communications and Media Authority had received complaints about the hoax call.
"The decision about whether to investigate the call for possible breaches of the commercial radio codes of practice is one for the independent regulator," he said.
The prank call was pre-recorded and vetted by lawyers before being broadcast to listeners in Sydney.
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for support