Tributes after British teenager dies while visiting Vietnam
Tributes after British teenager dies while visiting Vietnam
A 19-year-old British woman, Orla Wates, reportedly lost her life in a road accident during a trip to Vietnam. Local news sources state that she fell from the motorcycle’s rear while exploring the Ha Giang Loop in the northern region. She was taken to Hanoi’s Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, where she passed away on 2 April, with her parents present. Orla’s mother shared with the outlet that the family opted to donate her organs as a gesture of support for others.
“Orla was beautiful, independent and very funny, with a sharp wit,” said her mother, Henrietta Wates. “She loved to look good and lived life to the full.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it was in contact with local authorities and providing assistance to Orla’s family during their challenging time. A spokesperson expressed condolences to Orla’s loved ones, acknowledging her tragic demise. According to Viet Nam News, Orla had been traveling through Southeast Asia before beginning her studies at Durham University.
“We chose to donate Orla’s organs, as we believe that if there were a way to give opportunity to others, this is what Orla would have wanted,” Henrietta added. “Knowing that she is living on through them brings us great comfort.”
Viet Nam News noted that her organs were given to five critically ill Vietnamese patients at the hospital. A hospital representative remarked: “In the face of profound grief, her family made a deeply compassionate decision that transcended nationality and race – to donate her organs, giving others a chance at life… “One journey has come to an end, but her life continues quietly and resiliently in others who have been given a second chance.”
“Orla had loved Vietnam, and giving back to the Southeast Asian nation was very important to our family,” said Andrew Wates, her father.
The Ha Giang Loop, a 350km (217 miles) mountainous road trip in northern Vietnam, is often recommended by tour operators for inexperienced riders. However, Vietnam’s roads are known for their hazards, with over 10,000 fatalities and 16,000 injuries recorded in traffic accidents during 2024.
