Tributes after British teenager dies while visiting Vietnam
Tributes after British teenager dies while visiting Vietnam
A 19-year-old British woman lost her life in a road accident while exploring Vietnam, according to local reports. Orla Wates was involved in an incident on the Ha Giang Loop, a mountainous route in northern Vietnam, where she fell from the motorcycle she was riding. She was taken to Hanoi’s Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, where she passed away on 2 April, with her parents by her side at the time.
Henrietta Wates, Orla’s mother, shared her thoughts with Viet Nam News, expressing that her family decided to donate her organs to aid others. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office noted its support for Orla’s family, stating it was in contact with local authorities and offering assistance during their “hugely difficult time.”
Her legacy lives on through organ donations
“Orla was beautiful, independent, and very funny, with a sharp wit. She loved to look good and lived life to the full,” Henrietta said, reflecting on her daughter’s personality.
Organ donations were made to five critically ill Vietnamese patients at the hospital. A representative from the facility highlighted the family’s compassionate choice: “In the face of profound grief, her family made a deeply compassionate decision that transcended nationality and race—giving others a chance at life.”
Background and family sentiments
“We chose to donate Orla’s organs because we believe that if there was a way to grant others opportunity, this is what Orla would have wanted,” Henrietta added, emphasizing the comfort of knowing her daughter’s life continues in others.
Orla’s father, Andrew Wates, revealed that his daughter cherished Vietnam, calling the donation a meaningful gesture for the family. The Ha Giang Loop, a 350km (217 miles) scenic journey through northern Vietnam’s mountains, is often recommended by tour operators for experienced riders. However, Vietnam’s road safety record remains concerning, with over 10,000 fatalities and 16,000 injuries from traffic accidents in 2024.
Before pursuing her studies at Durham University, Orla had been traveling across Southeast Asia. Her family’s decision to donate her organs underscores their hope to extend her impact beyond her personal journey.
