Hanged woman was 26

Oct 9 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

A WOMAN found hanged in toilets at Wishaw General was aged only 26, it can be revealed.

The Advertiser understands that she had been a patient at the hospital and was from Newmains.

It is understood that a cleaner discovered the woman’s body in ground-floor public toilets, close to the hospital’s restaurant, shortly after midday Tuesday.

Police sealed off the area and detectives and doctors were called to the scene.

Nurses at the hospital later identified the woman as someone who had received treatment in one of the wards.

Police made inquiries into the incident but later ruled out foul play, and NHS Lanarkshire immediately began a probe into the tragedy.

An NHS Lanarkshire spokesman said: “We can confirm that there has been an incident at Wishaw General Hospital.

He said: “We are conducting a full investigation and are co-operating with the police.”

Officers had the sad task of breaking the devastating news to the woman’s family in Newmains.

Their spokesman told the Advertiser: “We can confirm a woman was found dead within Wishaw General Hospital.

“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.”

One hospital source said: “The cleaner was doing her rounds when she discovered the woman’s body and raised the alarm.

“She was very badly shaken.

“After that, police and medical staff rushed to the scene to try and save the woman, but sadly she died.”

Police and NHS Lanarkshire have declined to name her or give any further details of the incident.