Ayla Collins: Rugby Star’s Baby Daughter Leaves Hospital A Month After Accident Killed Parents


Ayla Collins, the four-month-old daughter of former New Zealand rugby player, Jerry Collins, was the lone survivor of the fatal car crash that killed both her parents, but will face ongoing health issues, a family spokesperson said Thursday.

The orphaned little girl is now well enough that she was released from a hospital in France, where the accident happened last month. She has been reunited with her grandparents in Canada, where she will be raised.

Ayla Collin’s mother, Alana Madill, and legendary All Blacks star Jerry Collins, were killed instantly, when their car was hit by a bus carrying 21 Portugese tourists on a French highway in early June. The athlete’s death, and the tragedy surrounding his baby daughter, were the inspiration for an onslaught of messages on social media in the days after the car accident.

The biggest concern was the fate of baby Ayla, who didn’t even get to know her parents before they were taken from her. Despite the difficulties she will face for the rest of her life, news that she is now with her grandparents is welcome.

A spokesperson for the Collins and Madill families, Tim Castle, said Thursday, Ayla was now safely in Canada with Madill’s parents.

“Current medical opinion is that, sadly, little Ayla will likely suffer ongoing disabilities the full extent of which cannot yet be known. Ayla will need intense ongoing care.

“Ayla continues to make encouraging progress as assessed through comprehensive medical tests undertaken upon her arrival to hospital in Canada. Many follow-up appointments are arranged for her over the coming weeks and months to monitor her future health status.

“As might be expected, little Ayla continues to demonstrate her fighting qualities and strength – reminiscent of both her mother and father.”

Jerry Collins’ former teammates have rallied around Ayla, and a heartwarming photo of Neemia Tialata surfaced, showing the rugby player feeding a bottle to the orphan child.

Thousands of mourners were present to pay their respects to 34-year-old Jerry Collins, a beloved star in his native New Zealand. His funeral was attended by some of the biggest names in sports, as well as friends of the family.

In late June, baby Ayla Collins who was in a coma after the deadly crash, woke up and started feeding from a bottle. Alana’s sister, Nora, said the baby needed surgery to relieve a fluid build-up in her brain and thanked supporters for their prayers.

[Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images, Facebook]

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