New Zealand rugby star Jerry Collins and wife killed in car crash as baby fights for life
FORMER New Zealand rugby star Jerry Collins and his wife have died in a car crash, while their young baby fights for her life.
Jerry Collins has been killed in a car crash in France
Collins, capped 48 times for the All Blacks, was in south-west France when his car was hit by a bus after his vehicle came to a unexplained stop.
The rugby star, 34, and his wife Alana Madill were travelling with their four-month-old daughter, Ayla, who survived the smash but was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.
Just after 4.30am a bus from Portugal, with around 20 passengers on board, hit Collins's car at full speed, sending it hurtling 10 metres forward into the central security barrier.
Collins playing for Barbarians against England
The crash took place near a motorway toll booth area west of Beziers where Collins's car had come to a stop for reasons that remain unclear, according to local reports.
Collins's car reportedly ground to a halt due to a technical fault after he lost control of it and stopped across a motorway lane.
Collins and Madill died at the scene, while the two bus drivers managed to get the child out of the car by the time paramedics arrived.
Jerry Collins and his wife Alana Madill
#A9 Jerry Collins ancien international Blacks décédé. Dans un accident de la circulation ce matin à Béziers pic.twitter.com/Th6C4OkIdb
— Amarger Jean-Pierre (@jpamarger) June 5, 2015
French Yannick Jauzion can't stop New Zealand's Collins during the International rugby mat
#A9 deux morts un blessé grave deux blessés léger ce matin à Béziers pic.twitter.com/Ols7yfYfB8
— Amarger Jean-Pierre (@jpamarger) June 5, 2015
Hurricanes' Collins tackled during the round one Super 14 match between the New South Wales Waratahs
Terrible news about Mr & Mrs Jerry Collins. Jerry was the @JONAHTALILOMU of the forwards. A rugby inspiration of his time. #lifesoprecious
The All Blacks' official Twitter account said they are "shocked and saddened" by the news.
Rugby stars across the world have also taken to social media to send their messages of condolences.
England's World Cup-winning former scrum-half, Matt Dawson posted: "Terrible news about Mr & Mrs Jerry Collins. Jerry was the @JONAHTALILOMU of the forwards. A rugby inspiration of his time. #lifesoprecious"
Wales and Ospreys player Rhys Webb said it was "devastating news" to hear of the death of "a true rugby legend".
Hurricanes Rugby, Collins' former club, tweeted: "We are shocked and saddened to hear of Jerry and his wife's passing tonight. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family and baby Ayla…"
Collins had most recently been playing for Racing Club Narbonne in the French second division.
Tragic news coming through that former Osprey Jerry Collins killed in car crash in France this morning along with his partner. RIP JC
— Ospreys (@ospreys) June 5, 2015
Struggling to think that its happened.. dont want to believe it!!
— Piri Weepu (@piriweepu) June 5, 2015
Had the privilege and honour of bleeding with him on the weekends on the field. Words cant express how sad I am brother. RIP big brother JC!
— Piri Weepu (@piriweepu) June 5, 2015
RIP to Jerry Collins and his wife Alana!! Thoughts and prayers for your baby girl!! #AllBlacksLegend ???????????????????
— Tyla Nathan-Wong (@tylanathanwong) June 5, 2015