Jacintha Saldanha case: Australian radio station donates $550,000 to family


London, Sep 14 (PTI): An Australian radio station, which aired a prank on an India-born nurse who later took her life after the broadcast of the prank, has donated USD 550,000 to her family to help them rebuild their lives.

Southern Cross Austereo said it was donating the money to a trust fund for Jacintha Saldanha's family.

"We do not assume, of course, that this donation or any amount of money could relieve the feelings of loss felt by Ms Saldanha's family. But it is our hope that it may help them," a spokesperson said in a statement.

Saldanha, originally from Mangalore in Karnataka, was found dead in the nursing accommodation of King Edward VII hospital days after staff were tricked into revealing details of Kate Middleton's first pregnancy to two Australian radio DJs -- Greig and Michael Christian -- posing as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles back in December 2012.

The 46-year-old mother of two had answered the call and transferred it on to the duty nurse on the Duchess of Cambridge's ward.

Saldanha later wrote to the nurse, who had been looking after the Duchess on the night of the prank, to apologise for putting the call through to her

An inquest into her death yesterday concluded that Saldanha had committed suicide.

The radio station conveyed its condolences but did not accept any blame for her death, The Australian reported.

"We also note that the coroner has said there is no causation as a matter of law between the hoax call and any subsequent voluntary action by Ms Saldanha," a spokesperson said.

Radio programmes were collaborative and no blame could be placed on the radio hosts as "they are not the final decision makers", although Southern Cross Austereo accepted full responsibility for the call and broadcast, she said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • jesse, mangalore. ireland

    Mon, Sep 15 2014

    i remember a srilankan housemaid murdered in saudi as per saudi law they gave death sentence to sponser the family of sponsor ofered blood money to maid fly in srilanka they were very poor inspite of that they refused money. this is true love.

    DisAgree [2] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent Rodrigues , katapadi/Bangalore

    Mon, Sep 15 2014

    Loss incurred to the family is beyond the reimbursal.But the amount given by the Radio Station will surely help the family to rebuilt.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.C.Kamath, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 15 2014

    Money cannot bring back a wife / mother / daughter / SIL back to the Saldanha family. May Jacintha Saldanha's innocent soul RIP.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Mallar, Kasaragod/ Dubai

    Sun, Sep 14 2014

    The gesture must be appreciated. How many people accept their mistakes?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [50] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald Pinto, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 15 2014

    Accept money for a cruel prank ? Are we that cheap Mr.Mallar ?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jacintha Fernandes , Abudhabi,shirva

    Sun, Sep 14 2014

    We lost a beautiful soul.Death can come to anyone at anytime.But the pain she has left for the family can not be compensated with any amount.But I appreciate the kind gesture of Australian DJs of their apology.I hereby request the family please forgive them.Because they did not intend to do that.I wish Jacintha had discussed this matter with her husband who would have given her the support in coping up in her stress.RIP

    DisAgree [7] Agree [114] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Jacintha Saldanha case: Australian radio station donates $550,000 to family



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