Jerry Collins dead: Former New Zealand All Black dies in fatal car crash

The former rugby union international, who was capped 48 times by his country, was killed when a bus hit his car in southern France

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Former New Zealand international Jerry Collins has died in a car crash in southern France aged 34.
Collins, who was capped 48 times by the All Blacks, died along with his wife when a bus hit his car near the town of Beziers.
Local media reports say the accident occurred around 4:30am local time.
Collins' three-month-old daughter was also in the car but survived but is said to be in a serious condition in hospital.

8:04 am

Collins was a fan favourite as a player, known the world over for his entertaining, hard hitting style.
Brian O'Driscoll is one of a wave of Collins' fellow pros to have paid tribute to him.

7:55 am

This is the car Collins and his wife were travelling in when they were hit by the bus.
Both are said to have died immediately.
Collins' three-month-old daughter was taken to a nearby hospital in Montpellier where she is said to be in a serious condition.

 

 

7:52 am

More tributes, this time from South Africa.

7:43 am

More now from the scene.
The driver of the bus that is said to have collided with Collins' car have been taken to nearby services and are being offered support and counselling.
A member of the team at the scene told local newspaper Midi Libre: "Two of them, including the driver, are particularly shocked by what happened.
"They may be taken to Beziers Hospital for further medical checks."

7:37 am

The world of rugby is rallying around in the wake of this morning's tragic news.
French international Thierry Dusautoir one of many taking to social media to pay tribute to Collins.

7:30 am

Further images are emerging now.
Local media reports say the accident occurred on the A9 in the Herault region.

7:28 am

This is apparently the scene of the crash just outside the southern French town of Beziers.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
French newspaper Le Figaro say the accident occurred around 4:30am local time.

7:14 am

The tributes are pouring in.
This from former All Blacks teammate Piri Weepu.

7:04 am

The All Blacks have expressed their extreme sadness at the tragic news

6:52 am

Former New Zealand international Jerry Collins has died in a car crash in southern France aged 34.
Collins, who was capped 48 times by the All Blacks, died along with his wife when a bus hit his car near the town of Beziers.
Collins' three-month-old daughter was also in the car but survived but is said to be in a serious condition in hospital.
The 34-year-old enjoyed a glittering playing career playing for Super Rugby side Hurricanes before a spell in Europe with Toulon and Ospreys.