Collins' baby in critical condition

Jerry Collins
Jerry Collins
Baby Ayla Collins remains in a critical condition this afternoon, following the car crash in France that killed her father Jerry and mother Alana Madill on Friday.

Jerry Collins' agent, Tim Castle, said the timing of the former All Black's funeral depended on the repatriation process.

Repatriation could be a difficult process and time zone differences were complicating the flow of information between France and New Zealand.

''It's a wait-and-see game,'' Mr Castle said.

He said four-month-old Ayla remained in a critical condition about 2.45pm (NZ time).

Collins' funeral is expected to be held in Porirua, north of Wellington.

The deaths of Collins and Ms Madill, and the orphaning of Ayla, has sparked an outpouring of support.

The Jerry Collins Memorial Fund page on the Givealittle website has raised more than $27,600 for Ayla.

 

Members of the extended Collins family from Samoa have arrived in Wellington.

An uncle said yesterday that the family chiefs were gathering to discuss and organise "what needed to be organised", but that preparations had not been finalised as they were still working to get Collins home.

"We're just sticking together, and his parents have gone to another house because it's been [overwhelming]."

Collins' mother was in Samoa with two of his sisters for a wedding when she heard of his death and were returning to Wellington.

Former All Blacks Chris Masoe and Neemia Tialata have travelled to see Ayla, and formally identify Collins. They have also dressed him in preparation for his journey back to New Zealand.

The family met last night with their church minister for prayers. Earlier, Collins' minister spoke to the New Zealand Herald and paid tribute to a young man who always made time for his church and local community.

Nove Vailaau, of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Porirua, wrote a poignant tribute on Facebook where he revealed intimate details about the man who everyone else knew as the tough All Black legend, but whom the community loved as one of its sons.

"Spiritually, Jerry Collins had a Samoan and Christian upbringing. He was brought up here at Waitangirua [in Porirua] in a very Christian family of grand uncles and grand aunties who blend Samoan cultural principles and Christian values in a very disciplined manner."

Collins was born in Moto'otua and raised in Leufisa in Samoa before leaving for New Zealand with his family before he was two years old.

An aunt, Julia Collins, said his relatives in Leufisa learnt of the tragic event while watching the news.

"We had just finished our evening prayer when we turned on the television and that was the first thing on the bulletin, she told the Samoan Observer.

"The sad thing about his death - he was too young. Not only that, he has died so far away from his family. I still cannot believe that he's gone."

Ms Collins told the paper that her nephew was due to return to Samoa later this month.

"He had planned to bring his daughter to where he grew up. All our children were looking forward to those gatherings, but it's unfortunately that we won't be celebrating. Instead, we will be attending two funerals."

Tribute for Alana Madill 

A close friend of Alana Madill has paid tribute to a woman she says was an "exceptionally vibrant person".

Speaking to NZME. News Service today from her home in Canada, Ms Madill's friend Jessica Hartwell said the pair became friends while living in Revelstoke, a small town in British Columbia four years ago.

"We were both living there, and she hired me to teach yoga privately and we just became very, very close friends.  She ended up moving to Grande Prairie to take a job offering there and I ended up moving to Vancouver Island, but we [still] talked every few days on Facebook and on the phone."

Ms Hartwell described her friend as "an exceptionally vibrant person".

"She made friends wherever she went, she lit up a room. She had a big personality and a big energy and she was really giving and really generous and would really go out of her way for people, even if she didn't know them. I loved her dearly, it's so painful, grief just takes time to process. I am just praying for her baby."

Ms Hartwell said she had not spoken to Ms Madill's family since the tragic accident and had "tried to give them space", but understood her friend's body would be returned to them in Alberta.

Investigation continues 

The prosecutor looking into the cause of the crash, Yvon Calvet, whose office is in Beziers, told the New Zealand Herald last night that it was still being investigated.

The autopsy on Ms Madill had been performed but the results were not yet available.

The Herald asked Mr Calvet whether under French law the mother or father's relatives would be granted custody of baby Ayla. He said: "That aspect is still uncertain."

Meanwhile, fundraising efforts to help Ayla continue. The Jerry Collins Memorial Fund has passed the $26,000 mark.

- Reports from The New Zealand Herald and NZME. news service 

Add a Comment