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A 19-year-old British woman tragically passed away during her visit to Vietnam, reportedly due to a road accident. According to local reports, Orla Wates was traveling the Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam when she fell from the back of a motorcycle. Following the accident, she was taken to the Viet Duc Friendship Hospital in Hanoi, where she died on April 2nd, with her parents present at her bedside.
Orla’s mother shared with Viet Nam News that the family made the decision to donate her organs to the hospital to help others in need. A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) expressed their condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Orla Wates, following her tragic death in Vietnam.” The FCDO also confirmed they were in contact with local authorities and providing support to Orla’s family during this incredibly difficult period.
Before her university studies at Durham, Orla had been traveling across Southeast Asia. Her mother described her as “beautiful, independent and very funny, with a sharp wit,” adding that “she loved to look good and lived life to the full.” She further conveyed the family’s gratitude to the hospital and explained their choice to donate Orla’s organs: “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. Knowing that she is living on through them brings us great comfort.”
Viet Nam News reported that five critically ill Vietnamese patients received organ donations from Orla. A hospital representative highlighted the profound compassion behind the family’s decision, saying, “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’s father also emphasized their connection to Vietnam, noting that the country meant a lot to his daughter and that giving back to the Southeast Asian nation was very important to the family.
The Ha Giang Loop refers to a scenic road trip of roughly 350 kilometers (217 miles) through the mountainous region of northern Vietnam. Many tour operators recommend that travelers, especially those inexperienced with motorbikes, ride as passengers with local guides. It is worth noting that Vietnam’s roads are considered hazardous, with over 10,000 deaths and 16,000 injuries reported from traffic accidents in 2024 alone
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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