In a heart breaking twist to the 2Day FM royal prank, the nurse who answered the phone has been found dead.
The Guardian reports that the nurse, Jacintha Saldanha, who was working on reception when MC and Mel made their prank call, has died.
She was found unconscious at the Charterhouse Annex hospital staff flats just before 9.30am on Friday, London time, and died shortly afterwards.
Southern Cross Austereo issued the following statement at 5 am today.
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and 2Day FM are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha from King Edward VII’s Hospital and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and all that have been affected by this situation around the world.
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. 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 hospital has issued a statement saying:
‘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.”
John Lofthouse, Chief Executive at King Edward VII’s Hospital, said: “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.”
Australian Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said:
The death of Jacintha Saldanha is dreadful and tragic.
“My thoughts and sympathies are with Ms Saldanha’s family, friends and work colleagues at this time.
“Australia’s independent broadcasting regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has 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.”
Chairman of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Chris Chapman made this statement:
“These events are a tragedy for all involved and I pass on my heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased nurse in London.
“The ACMA does not propose to make any comments at this stage, but will be engaging with the licensee, Today FM Sydney, around the facts and issues surrounding the prank call.”
When the pair called, Saldanha thought she was speaking to the Queen and then put the call through to a duty nurse, who divulged details about the duchess.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have issued a statement saying they are ‘deeply saddened’ by the tragedy. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.”
To seek counselling on these issues see www.beyondblue.org.au or call Lifeline on 131 114.
Rather than the Australian Communications and Media Authority deflecting complaints about this incident back to 2DAY FM for the station itself to handle, it might perhaps be time for ACMA to show that it really isn't the toothless body many in the radio industry believe it to be.
The statement by 2DAY that they are removing the two presenters from air for the time being out of respect for the dead nurse shows that they fail to grasp the seriousness of the situation, and the disgust that has been felt around the world about this appalling misuse of the airwaves.
The management of the radio spectrum is the responsibility of ACMA. Too often, they have allowed inappropriate use of this public resource to go unchecked. Rather than allowing 2DAY to suspend advertising until the furore dies down, and therefore setting their own "penalty" for this situation, perhaps ACMA should be suspending the station's licence immediately pending an investigation of the culture behind this serial offender's use of the radio airwaves.
There should then be stringent conditions placed on the licence before it is reinstated, with any further offences to result in the permanent cancellation of the licence.
As for the two presenters involved, why haven't they already been sacked? They are not the victims here, as the station's offer of counselling would suggest. That they are still employed suggests that 2DAY is condoning what they did, which apparently was vetted by the station's legal department before it happened.
Tacky radio that deserves tough ACMA action, not just another slap on the wrist.
P.S. I am not employed in the commercial radio industry, or by a national broadcaster, so there is no vested interest in these comments, just a desire to see decency restored to radio.