Collins and wife killed in car crash
Former All Black Jerry Collins and his wife have been killed in a car crash.
Collins, 34, and Alana Madill died instantly in the accident in the south of France. Their 3-month-old baby, Ayla, was in a critical condition after being flown to hospital in Montpellier.
The accident happened shortly after 3am local time on the A9 in the French region of Herault, which is the neighbouring department to Narbonne, where Collins was playing for the local seconddivision side.
French police said Madill was driving and Collins was in the back seat. The car first drifted to the left side of the road, then hit the security railing and shifted to the right side, stopping sideways on the highway.
It was then hit by a tourist bus from Portugal. Two people in the bus were slightly injured.
Newspaper Midi Libre said the bus driver had freed Ayla from the wreckage by time emergency services arrived.
Collins’ agent, Tim Castle, who is acting as the family spokesman, said: ‘‘It is a tragedy . . . It is devastating news for his family and everybody. He was in the best space.’’
Castle said he had been in touch with Collins’ father, Frank, who lives in Porirua, and with other family members in Samoa. He had also spoken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was ‘‘doing everything they can to ensure that baby Ayla is getting all the care and support she needs. I am very grateful for their support’’.
The Hurricanes team, who were playing the Highlanders in Napier last night, gathered in a huddle for a moment’s silence before the game in memory of their former team-mate. The Wellington Saints basketball team, which was also playing last night, paid a similar tribute.
Hurricanes chief executive James Te Puni said: ‘‘We are shocked and saddened to hear the news of Jerry and his wife, Alana, passing. Obviously Jerry was a special part of both the Hurricanes and Wellington years.
‘‘He was an extraordinary leader and player, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.
‘‘Many of the team here in Napier tonight have strong con-
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the nections with Jerry and his family, and will certainly do their best to go out there tonight and honour the man who did so much for this club.’’
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said: ‘‘It’s really horrible, really sad, I guess for me. He epitomises the word tough in the game of rugby. I just really feel for his family right now.’’
Former All Black and Samoa midfielder Alama Ieremia, a close friend of Collins, was also distraught.
‘‘It’s very, very said . . . I knew him when he was a young college kid who I picked for the Wellington Samoan sevens team. He was so young but had the heart of a lion.
‘‘I knew he was going to be an All Black and he was only in fifth form. I’m going to miss my boy.’’
Collins signed a deal with Narbonne in January, having not played rugby since finishing up with Japanese club Yamaha two years ago. In the years in between he worked in the security industry in Canada, where Madill was from.
Narbonne president Anthony Hill, an Australian, lunched with the couple on Thursday. He said Collins had single-handedly turned around the club’s season to avoid relegation.
‘‘He . . . saved the season really, and I say that without exaggeration.’’