Nurse who took prank call found dead

A nurse involved in a prank telephone call seeking information about Britain's Duchess of Cambridge has died, hospital officials said on Friday.

The King Edward VII hospital in London said Jacintha Saldanha had been a victim of the call made by two Australian radio disc jockeys, who impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles to elicit information on the Duchess.

Saldanha had been staffing the switchboard in the early morning when she had taken the call and transferred it to the nurse caring for the duchess.

"It is with deep sadness that I can confirm the tragic death of a member of our nursing staff, Jacintha Saldanha," John Lofthouse, the hospital's chief executive told reporters.

"Jacintha was a first class nurse, who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us," he continued.

"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."

St. James's Palace expressed sadness at the death of Saldanha, who was found dead early on Friday.

British police said her death was as yet unexplained.

The Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, had been in the hospital for acute morning sickness.

The prank phone call took place early on Tuesday and the two radio presenters involved - Mel Greig and

Michael Christian from the station 2DayFM - apologised the following day.

Saldanha had worked at the hospital for more than four years.