The new Royal Hospital in Derby, Derbyshire, is calling in an exorcist after sightings of a creepy spook.
The figure, which wears a cloak, has been seen stalking the wards and corridors of the hospital.
Many believe it may be the ghost of a Roman soldier as the hospital was, controversially, built over a Roman road.
Derby is said to be Britain's most haunted city, with 315 reports of ghosts, poltergeists, werewolves and vampires since records began, an average of 14 sightings per 10,000 members of its population.
The Supernatural Britain Report has compiled a list of Britain's 10 most haunted cities, which you can see below...
Haunted hospital calls in exorcist
Spooky ... artist's impression of the ghost at Derby hospital
By TOM WELLS
30 Jan 2009
HOSPITAL managers have called in an exorcist after shaken workers complained they are being terrified by a GHOST.
Spooked staff at Derby’s new Royal Hospital claimed a black-clad figure wearing a cloak was stalking wards and corridors.
Now chiefs at the £334million NHS site are to summon a local priest to see off the “spirit”.
Terror ... haunted hospital
Petrified staff were briefed on the spooky goings-on in an email from bosses.
Senior manager Debbie Butler wrote: “I’m not sure how many of you are aware that some members of staff have reported seeing a ghost.
“I’m taking it seriously as the last thing I want is staff feeling uneasy at work.”
Ms Butler sent the message after workers at the new £334million Royal Derby Hospital claimed they had seen a cloaked figure dressed in black roaming wards and corridors.
Imposing ... original City General Hospital building
She added: “I don’t want to scare anyone any more than necessary, but felt it was best I made you all aware of the situation and what we are doing about it.
“I’ve spoken to the Trust’s chaplain and she is going to arrange for someone from the cathedral to exorcise the department.”
Derby was recently named the most haunted place in Britain, with more reports of ghosts, poltergeists, werewolves and other supernatural phenomena than anywhere else in the UK.
The Supernatural Britain Report, conducted by Lionel Fanthorpe an expert on the paranormal, examined ghostly goings-on in 40 cities across the UK and compiled a list of the ten most spooky places in the country.
History ... developers built over road despite demos
Mr Fanthorpe found there had been 315 reports of ghosts, poltergeists, werewolves and vampires in Derby since records began – an average 14 sightings per 10,000 members of its population.
Sources at the Royal – built on the site of the Derby City General Hospital – said the exorcism was expected within days.
One said: “There have been dozens of sightings over recent weeks and people are scared witless.
“Several have seen a male figure cloaked from head to toe in black darting between rooms and through walls – especially in departments near the morgue.
“It’s affected morale so much that bosses decided they had to act.” Exorcisms in England must be pre-approved by a bishop.
A spokesman for the Bishop of Derby said: “Any case such as this is put to the Bishop.
“He would seek proper advice before taking action.”
Experts said the spirit could be the ghost of a Roman soldier killed on the spot where the original hospital was built in the 1920s. Developers ignored protests and covered over part of one of Ancient Britain’s main Roman roads.
Ian Wilce, of the Ghost-finder Paranormal Society, said: “There are lots of sightings on such sites.”
The hospital, still known as the City General, will be officially renamed as the Royal in coming months.
A spokeswoman for Derby Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We take information from staff seriously and are working with the hospital chaplaincy to put people’s minds at ease.”
True tales inspired the films
Scary ... Blair in Exorcist
CLASSIC horror movie The Exorcist was based on a US Jesuit priest’s bid to free a boy of 13 from spirits in 1949.
In the 1973 film, the boy became a girl played by Linda Blair.
Another film, The Amityville Horror, is based on exorcisms in Long Island after a man killed his family in 1974.
Anneliese Michel, 23, died after an exorcism in Leiblfing, Germany, in 1976.
Her parents and two priests were convicted of manslaughter.
Mother Teresa is said to have been exorcised before dying in 1997. The Archbishop of Calcutta ordered it as he thought she was being attacked by the Devil.
Channel 4 broadcast a live exorcism in 2005.
***************************************************
How the demons are nailed
GHOSTBUSTER Michael Hallowell told how unwanted spirits are said to be removed.
He explained: “Usually the exorcism begins with a prayer and holy water is sprinkled around the infected area. The priest will hold up a crucifix and those attending may sing hymns throughout. Sometimes it needs to be repeated before the demon is cleared.”
Michael, 51, of Newcastle, added: “The Catholic Church only use exorcism as a last resort. Their approach is ritualised, which is necessary with malevolent spirits.
“These entities are real and powerful.”
thesun.co.uk
The figure, which wears a cloak, has been seen stalking the wards and corridors of the hospital.
Many believe it may be the ghost of a Roman soldier as the hospital was, controversially, built over a Roman road.
Derby is said to be Britain's most haunted city, with 315 reports of ghosts, poltergeists, werewolves and vampires since records began, an average of 14 sightings per 10,000 members of its population.
The Supernatural Britain Report has compiled a list of Britain's 10 most haunted cities, which you can see below...
Haunted hospital calls in exorcist
Spooky ... artist's impression of the ghost at Derby hospital
By TOM WELLS
30 Jan 2009
HOSPITAL managers have called in an exorcist after shaken workers complained they are being terrified by a GHOST.
Spooked staff at Derby’s new Royal Hospital claimed a black-clad figure wearing a cloak was stalking wards and corridors.
Now chiefs at the £334million NHS site are to summon a local priest to see off the “spirit”.
Terror ... haunted hospital
Petrified staff were briefed on the spooky goings-on in an email from bosses.
Senior manager Debbie Butler wrote: “I’m not sure how many of you are aware that some members of staff have reported seeing a ghost.
“I’m taking it seriously as the last thing I want is staff feeling uneasy at work.”
Ms Butler sent the message after workers at the new £334million Royal Derby Hospital claimed they had seen a cloaked figure dressed in black roaming wards and corridors.
Imposing ... original City General Hospital building
She added: “I don’t want to scare anyone any more than necessary, but felt it was best I made you all aware of the situation and what we are doing about it.
“I’ve spoken to the Trust’s chaplain and she is going to arrange for someone from the cathedral to exorcise the department.”
Derby was recently named the most haunted place in Britain, with more reports of ghosts, poltergeists, werewolves and other supernatural phenomena than anywhere else in the UK.
The Supernatural Britain Report, conducted by Lionel Fanthorpe an expert on the paranormal, examined ghostly goings-on in 40 cities across the UK and compiled a list of the ten most spooky places in the country.
History ... developers built over road despite demos
Mr Fanthorpe found there had been 315 reports of ghosts, poltergeists, werewolves and vampires in Derby since records began – an average 14 sightings per 10,000 members of its population.
Sources at the Royal – built on the site of the Derby City General Hospital – said the exorcism was expected within days.
One said: “There have been dozens of sightings over recent weeks and people are scared witless.
“Several have seen a male figure cloaked from head to toe in black darting between rooms and through walls – especially in departments near the morgue.
“It’s affected morale so much that bosses decided they had to act.” Exorcisms in England must be pre-approved by a bishop.
A spokesman for the Bishop of Derby said: “Any case such as this is put to the Bishop.
“He would seek proper advice before taking action.”
Experts said the spirit could be the ghost of a Roman soldier killed on the spot where the original hospital was built in the 1920s. Developers ignored protests and covered over part of one of Ancient Britain’s main Roman roads.
Ian Wilce, of the Ghost-finder Paranormal Society, said: “There are lots of sightings on such sites.”
The hospital, still known as the City General, will be officially renamed as the Royal in coming months.
A spokeswoman for Derby Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We take information from staff seriously and are working with the hospital chaplaincy to put people’s minds at ease.”
True tales inspired the films
Scary ... Blair in Exorcist
CLASSIC horror movie The Exorcist was based on a US Jesuit priest’s bid to free a boy of 13 from spirits in 1949.
In the 1973 film, the boy became a girl played by Linda Blair.
Another film, The Amityville Horror, is based on exorcisms in Long Island after a man killed his family in 1974.
Anneliese Michel, 23, died after an exorcism in Leiblfing, Germany, in 1976.
Her parents and two priests were convicted of manslaughter.
Mother Teresa is said to have been exorcised before dying in 1997. The Archbishop of Calcutta ordered it as he thought she was being attacked by the Devil.
Channel 4 broadcast a live exorcism in 2005.
***************************************************
How the demons are nailed
GHOSTBUSTER Michael Hallowell told how unwanted spirits are said to be removed.
He explained: “Usually the exorcism begins with a prayer and holy water is sprinkled around the infected area. The priest will hold up a crucifix and those attending may sing hymns throughout. Sometimes it needs to be repeated before the demon is cleared.”
Michael, 51, of Newcastle, added: “The Catholic Church only use exorcism as a last resort. Their approach is ritualised, which is necessary with malevolent spirits.
“These entities are real and powerful.”
thesun.co.uk
Last edited: