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Julie Ferne with grandson Carter Preston. - Source: Supplied
A New Zealand woman has died and her four-day-old grandson is in a critical condition following a tragic accident in Vietnam.
Julie Ferne fell 6.7 metres down a staircase to a marble floor on August 24 while staying with family in Ho Chi Minh City. She died shortly after in hospital.
"Unfortunately mum was holding her four-day-old grandson, Phil's son, Carter Preston, whilst descending the stairs," her family said in a statement today.
Carter was injured in the fall and is in a critical condition with bleeding on the brain in Ho Chi Minh Children's Hospital.
"Carter is continuing to fight and all our thoughts and well wishes are with his recovery. Kia Kaha little man," his family said in a statement today.
Stefan, Phil and Sean Preston said they would appreciate privacy as their family grieves.
They said they are working with the New Zealand Consulate to arrange to have Ferne returned to New Zealand.
"We would like to thank everyone in New Zealand and around the world for their prayers, support and well wishes.
"Many people have asked if there is anything that they can do to help."
The family said Ferne had spoken about poverty in Vietnam and her desire to help before her death.
"To illustrate this situation, in the same ward as Carter at Ho Chi Minh City Children's Hospital is a young baby with a heart condition.
"In the last few days that we have been here the baby's parents have been taking shifts constantly hand pumping his ventilator to keep their child alive, as the hospital does not have the automated equipment to do this."
Ferne's family have set up a trust fund to raise money for hospital equipment at Ho Chi Minh City Children's Hospital.
Donations can be made to any branch of ASB Bank or directly into the Julie Ferne Memorial Trust ASB account, 12-3198-0065427-00.