SHE ARRIVED IN VIETNAM FULL OF ENERGY AND DREAMS…
But what was meant to be the adventure of a lifetime turned into an unimaginable tragedy. Orla Wates, a 19-year-old with a bright future, came to Vietnam with excitement and adventure in her heart. Tragically, her dream gap year ended on the Ha Giang Loop.
In her final moments, Orla gave the ultimate gift—a life-saving organ donation that saved five lives. Her story will never be forgotten.
A British building tycoon’s teenage daughter has died in a motorbike accident in Vietnam during a gap year.
Orla Wates, 19, whose father is a director of £2.4billion building firm Wates, came off a bike in northern Vietnam and has now died of her injuries.
She was travelling on the Ha Giang Loop on a gap year before planning to start a degree course at Durham University.
Her organs have been donated for transplants, saving the lives of five critically ill Vietnamese patients.
Following the motorcycle accident she was rushed to Hà Nội’s Việt Đức Friendship Hospital but died on Thursday last week.
Her parents, Andy and Henrietta Wates, told of making the decision to allow her organs to be used to help other patients at the hospital.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it is understood that Orla was riding pillion on the back of a motorcycle when the driver lost control.
Orla was thrown to the ground but was then run over by an oncoming truck, causing extensive injuries.
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Orla Wates, 19, has died after a motorcycle accident in Vietnam during her gap year
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Orla’s father Andrew Wates is a director of £2.4billion building firm Wates
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Despite the best efforts of doctors at the Intensive Care Unit, the teenager passed away with her parents at her bedside.
Mr Wates said: ‘Orla was beautiful, independent and very funny, with a sharp wit. She loved to look good and lived life to the full.’
Orla’s mother said her family could take comfort knowing their daughter is ‘living on’ after her organs were used to save lives.
She told Viet Nam News: ‘We would like to thank Dr Trịnh Văn Đồng 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.’
Mr Wates is a director of the Wates building firm and chairman of the Wates Family Enterprise Trust.
He said: ‘Vietnam was a country she loved, so to give back to Vietnam is very important to us.’
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Motorcyclists are seen riding along the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam (file picture)
Her mother added: ‘She had the best time here and she was loving every minute of it. So it is our way of thanking you.’
A representative from the Việt Đức Friendship Hospital added: ‘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 failure in Việt Nam.
‘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 liver, two kidneys and two corneas were transplanted to patients at the hospital.
In recognition of her parents’ actions, Vietnam’s minister of health wrote a letter expressing heartfelt condolences and sincere gratitude.
The Ha Giang Loop is a 350-400km motorbike adventure popular with young travellers visiting the country.
Tours usually take between three and four days, with riders passing through the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark.
It features steep mountains, deep valleys, rice terraces and dramatic passes like Ma Pi Leng.
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