Former All Blacks loose forward Jerry Collins has died following a car accident in France.

He was just 34.

Collins' partner Alana Madill also died instantly in the crash, while their three-month old daughter Ayla was critically injured.

According to the New Zealand Herald, Collins had been in Canet-en-Roussillon attending a testimonial banquet for Samoan Henry Tuilagi who plays for Perpignan. He had been driving home along the A9 motorway in direction of Beziers.

Emergency workers said Collins stopped his car by the side of the road, they think for 'technical reasons'.

Collins was then attempting to pull back into the traffic when his car was hit by a bus with 21 people on board. Collins' car was apparently thrown about 10m.

Collins played 48 Tests for the All Blacks from 2001 to 2007, as well as 85 matches for the Hurricanes and 47 for Wellington.

He opted to further his career overseas after the 2007 World Cup, playing for Toulon (2008 to 2009), the Neath-Swansea Ospreys (2009 to 2011) and Yamaha Júbilo in Japan (2011 to 2013).

Collins then signed a contract as a medical joker to play in the French ProD2 with Racing Club Narbonne.

VIDEO: Tribute to Jerry Collins

TWITTER: Players react to Collins' death

Photo: William West/AFP Photo