Ayla Collins, the baby of former New Zealand rugby international player Jerry Collins, has awoken from coma.
The Collins family announced the news on Thursday, June 25th. Ayla is currently under the care of medical staff in Montpellier, France.
“Ayla is still receiving excellent care at the hospital in Montpellier. She came out of a coma a week ago and has been permanently monitored by the medical team since then,” said a family member, who explained that Ayla is now able to breathe on here own, and has made progress since operation.
Ayla was seriously injured last June 5th after a road accident in France that killed her parents–Collins and wife/Ayla’s mother Alana Madill.
“Today we are still uncertain as to the seriousness and the consequences of Ayla’s injuries. That is why we continue to pray for her. But we will not make any comment about the details of her injuries,” the announcement added.
The June accident happened at around 3:10am along the highway near Beziers. A bus reportedly ploughed into the car–Madill was driving, while Collins was in the back seat.
Ayla needed to undergo cranial surgery. The induced coma was to reduce the swelling in her brain–this, according to TVNZ, is a common procedure after such sensitive operation.
Both the Collins and Madill families are committed to Ayla’s healthcare, saying that “fortunately that care is available in France and the staff have been wonderful.”
Alana’s sister Nora said in a statement: “She emerged from her induced coma approximately one week ago and, since that time, she has been monitored and examined for any negative impacts from the accident of June 5.”
Ayla is currently at the Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire in Montpellier.
