A tragic incident in northern Vietnam resulted in the death of a British teenager, Orla Wates, who was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident while traveling on the Ha Giang Loop during her gap year. The 19-year-old Londoner, who was preparing to commence her studies at Durham University, succumbed to her injuries at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital in Hanoi on April 2.
Described by her mother, Henrietta Wates, as beautiful, independent, and humorous, Orla’s family decided to donate her organs to assist critically ill patients at the hospital. Henrietta expressed gratitude towards Dr. Trinh Van Dong and the hospital’s ICU team for their care, mentioning that donating Orla’s organs was a decision aligned with what Orla would have wished for.
Andrew Wates, Orla’s father, a director at the Wates building firm, and chairman of the Wates Family Enterprise Trust, emphasized the family’s desire to give back to Vietnam in honor of their daughter’s affection for the country. The family’s act of generosity in donating Orla’s organs transcended boundaries of nationality and race, offering hope to patients in need of organ transplants in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s health minister, Dao Hong Lan, extended heartfelt condolences and appreciation to Orla’s family for their compassionate decision, acknowledging the profound impact of their gesture on those in need of life-saving transplant surgeries.
