A tragedy in the world of rugby as the legendary all black Captain Jerry Collins and wife die in car crash

June 5, 2015

Former All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins and his wife Alana Madill have died after their car was struck by a bus on a highway outside the southern French town of Beziers.

Collins and partner Alana Madill died instantly but luckily their three-month-old baby, Ayla, is in a critical condition after being airlifted to a hospital in Montpellier.

Their baby daughter Ayla was gravely injured in the crash about a half-hour drive from Narbonne, where Collins had been playing since January for the town’s second division club.

The news has shocked us all, and our thoughts are with Jerry and Alana’s families at this terribly sad time,” New Zealand Rugby general manager Neil Sorensen said.

“We offer our deepest condolences to them, and will support them as they come to terms with this devastating news.”

Tributes for Collins flooded in from former teammates and opponents.

All Blacks great Jonah Lomu tweeted: “Rest n peace My brother JC n your lovely lady. You will be surely missed. Prayers to your little (girl).”

All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu wrote, “Don’t want to believe it,” and Sonny Bill Williams said, “Love you uso, May God look after your little one.”

Australian Rugby Union chief executive officer Bill Pulver paid tribute to “one of the toughest forwards in the game,” who is “right up there with the all-time great players to wear the All Black jersey.”