Former All Black Jerry Collins dies in car crash in France

Former All Blacks captain Jerry Collins and his wife have been killed in a car crash in France, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed on Friday.

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Jerry Collins was capped 48 times by the All Blacks and captained them three times. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:30pm, 5 Jun 2015Updated: 6:24pm, 5 Jun 2015

Former All Blacks captain Jerry Collins and his wife have been killed in a car crash in France, New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed on Friday.

The ministry said it was not in a position to confirm how the accident occurred but Le Figaro newspaper reported Collins and his wife, Alana Madill, died in a collision with a bus on the A9 motorway in Herault, southern France.

The wreckage of car belonging to rugby player Jerry Collins is pictured in the highway near Beziers, southern France on June 5, 2015. Photo: AP

The couple’s three-month-old daughter was taken to hospital in serious condition, according to the report.

The ministry said New Zealand’s embassy in Paris was in contact with local authorities and consular assistance would be provided to relatives.

Jerry was a special part of the Hurricanes and Wellington Lions over the years ... He was an extraordinary leader and player

Hurricanes chief executive James Te Puni

The 34-year-old, who played 48 tests for the All Blacks and captained them three times, was playing for Narbonne in France’s second division.