Brit girl, 19, dies in Vietnam horror crash after bike hit by oncoming vehicle

Brit girl, 19, dies in Vietnam horror crash after bike hit by oncoming vehicleOrla Wates, 19, tragically died in a motorbike accident in northern Vietnam on Thursday - the teenager had been preparing to start a course at Durham UniversityOrla Wates (Image: Wates Family)ByEliana NunesNews Reporter15:32, 7 Apr 2026Updated15:44, 7 Apr 2026A 19-year-old British girl has tragically died in a motorbike accident in northern Vietnam. Orla Wates, from London, was travelling on the Ha Giang Loop on a gap year before preparing to start a degree at Durham University at the time of the accident. The teenager suffered extensive injuries after coming off a bike and being struck by an oncoming vehicle. She was rushed to Ha Noi's Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, but died on Thursday last week. "Orla was beautiful, independent and very funny, with a sharp wit," her mum, Henrietta Wates, told Viet Nam News. "She loved to look good and lived life to the full." Her parents have allowed her organs to be used to help other patients at the hospital, the outlet reports. Mrs Wates added: "We would like to thank Dr Trinh Van Dong and the ICU team at the hospital who cared for Orla. At this extremely difficult time for our family, 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." After Orla's tragic death, her dad Andrew wrote on Viet Duc Friendship Hospital's Facebook page: "Viet Nam was a country she loved, so to give back to Viet Nam is very important to us." A representative from the hospital told Viet Nam News: "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. "The act has moved many, as her gift now offers hope to patients suffering from organ fail...