8 Jun 2015

Baby Ayla still in critical condition

10:04 am on 8 June 2015

Jerry Collins' orphaned baby daughter, Ayla, remains in a critical condition in a French hospital following the car crash which killed both her parents,

Tributes have been flowing for the former All Black after his shock death on Friday, and a fundraiser has been set up to support four-month-old Ayla, which has so far raised almost $13,200.

The former All Black and his partner, Alana Madill, were killed on Friday when their car collided with a bus on a motorway in France. Ayla was taken to hospital in Montpellier.

French RCN (racing club de Narbonne) supporters hold a picture of All Black's Jerry Collins and his partner.

Racing club de Narbonne supporters hold a picture Jerry Collins and his partner during a silent march. Photo: AFP

Collins' agent Tim Castle said Ayla remained in critical condition and the outlook was uncertain. "That's the most accurate word I can give you at this time," he said.

The Collins family representatives and and Alana Madill's sister are at Montpellier. Her mother and father were travelling from Canada.

He said the family was waiting for police to complete their investigations before speculating on what caused the fatal crash.

Meanwhile, French rugby town Narbonne paid tribute to Collins on Sunday.

Almost 1500 people, many wearing the orange strip of the 34 year-old's club Racing Club Narbonne Mediterranee, walked in silence behind a photograph of the family.

A three-metre tall image of Collins was also installed outside the 13th century Archbishops Palace in Narbonne's historic centre.

Southwest France is a strong rugby region and the adopted home of many former and current international players.

Chris Masoe, Collins' cousin who plays for nearby Toulon, attended Sunday's rally. In Perpignan on Saturday, a retirement testimonial for Samoan Henry Tuilagi became a memorial match for Collins instead.

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