The family of a British teenager who died in a motorbike accident chose to donate her organs in Vietnam.
A British teenager died at the tender age of 19 while she was travelling to Vietnam. Orla Wates lived in London and was travelling to the Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam when she fell from the back of her motorcycle. Orla was enjoying life as she was on a gap year before starting a degree course at Durham University. But life had other plans, and she bade goodbye to the world in a scary motorcycle accident.
The 19-year-old, Orla Wates, was on a gap year and was having a trip when she lost her life to tragedy. She lost her life on April 2, 2026, at Hanoi's Viet Duc Friendship Hospital. Her parents, Henrietta and Andrew Wates, were by her bedside when she took her last breath.
Orla was travelling to the Ha Giang Loop, a 217-mile mountain route famous for its breathtaking scenery. However, the route and winding routes further make it difficult. As per the locals, Orla fell from the back of her motorcycle during the excursion. It is worth mentioning that Vietnam's roads remain the most dangerous in Southeast Asia. As per the available data, more than 10,000 people are killed, and 16,000 are injured in traffic accidents.
Orla's parents, who were by her side during the last moments of her life, revealed that their daughter had a sharp wit and lived life to the fullest. She had three siblings. Her father, Andrew Wates, is the director of the multi-billion-pound family-owned construction firm the Wates Group. Her mother, Henrietta Wates, chose to donate her organs to the hospital so that others could get a chance to live. She revealed that her daughter would have wanted others to live life, which she couldn't. They added how it gives them happiness to know that their daughter would be living life through them. She said:
"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. 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."
Her father also revealed that Vietnam was the country his daughter loved, and so they wanted to give back to Vietnam, which was very important for the family. Her mother also revealed that their daughter had the best time here, and she was living every minute of it. So, it was their way of thanking the country. Her father was quoted as saying:
"Vietnam was a country she loved and so to give back to Vietnam as well I think is very important for us."
The hospital representative revealed that the family is going through a profound grief. Talking about family's decision to donate her organs, they called it a compassionate move that transceneded nationality and race. To donate her organs and let others have a chance to live. Her journey has come to an end, but her life will continue in others who have been given a second chance. The representative said:
"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. One journey has come to an end, but her life continues quietly and resiliently in others who have been given a second chance."
We pray for Orla's family in these difficult times.
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