The husband of the woman who was killed in a jet ski crash on the Costa del Sol has told how he swam out to cradle his dying wife in his arms after the craft they were on was hit by a speedboat driven by a friend.
Debra Wright, a 47-year-old mother-of-four, was named late on Monday as the British tourist killed in Saturday evening’s collision in southern Spain.
Chris Wright, the 52-year-old chairman of Ashton Town FC, revealed overnight that he swam to his wife, a primary school teaching assistant, after the crash off a beach in Manilva, west of Estepona, to ‘hold her in my arms until she passed away’.
He described her as an ‘amazing woman’ and the family ‘compass and glue’ as one of her sons admitted he was ‘sorry’ for not saying he loved her every day.
‘My darling wife was a 47-year-old mother of four wonderful sons, Stuart, Jack, Josh and Leon and a nanny to seven beautiful grandchildren. She was an incredible sister and doting daughter,’ he said.
‘She was our compass, the glue to bind the family, an amazing woman whose glow would fill any room. She was so enigmatic, inspirational and loving. Our family will never be the same.’
Son Stuart Mcdonald said in his own heart wrenching tribute on social media penned in the form of a personal letter: ‘MUM…I never knew how much I needed someone until now, I’m so sorry that I didn’t tell you just how much I loved you every single day. You meant the world to me.’
Police revealed yesterday a man described as a friend who had been piloting the speedboat that struck the jet ski Debra was riding pillion on had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and an alcohol-related offence after failing a breath test.
Ms Wright is understood to have died instantly from the collision.
Debra Wright, pictured with her husband and chairman of Ashton Town FC Chris, tragically died in a jet ski smash in Spain on Saturday
The 47-year-old, who was riding passenger on the jet ski, is believed to have died instantly when a speedboat hit them from behind
Writing on social media, Mr Mcdonald added: “I’m so angry and upset, totally lost, I don’t even know how to move forward without you.
‘You are my Mum, my best friend, I wish I could swap places with you. If I could knowing you would be ok, I would do it in a heartbeat.
“It would be impossible to thank you for everything you have done for us, you loved me when I couldn’t love myself, you’ve backed me every step of the way.
‘I really hope I made you just the tiniest bit proud.’
Leon Wright, who works for Wigan-based family recruitment agency LRL, said in a separate tribute: “I can’t believe I am writing this. MUM you were one of a kind.
“Words can’t describe how much I’m missing you right now. You were the life and soul of every party, I am so happy to be called your son and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to be my Mum.
“I just want to say thank you for all the great memories you have given me, thank you for all your support you have given me, thank you for all your love you have given and thank you for everything else that you have done for me.
“I’m trying to keep strong but you did that for me I am broken, I just want you back. I LOVE YOU MUM.’
The football club confirmed Debra died at the weekend – paid tribute to the ‘sweetheart’
A message released by Ashton Town FC as a tribute to Debra on social media
In a statement, the club announced the tragedy, writing: ‘It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that on behalf of Ashton Town FC we announce the tragic death of Debra Wright, wife of Chris our Chairman who was tragically killed whilst on holiday in Spain on Saturday evening.
‘Our family are in mourning at this sad time and we ask for time for Chris and his family and everyone at the club to be able to start to come to terms with this tragedy.
‘RIP Debra, fly high sweetheart.’
The club, based in Greater Manchester, play in the North West Counties League Division One North.
The incident happened around 7.25pm on Saturday at a beach called Los Toros, just west of the popular holiday resort of Estepona.
A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Malaga said: ‘I can confirm the dead woman is a 43-year-old British national.
‘She was a passenger on the jet ski.’
A well-placed police source previously said: ‘The jet ski was being driven by her partner. They appear to have been hit from behind by a friend at the wheel of a speedboat.
‘He failed a breath test after the collision, so he’s likely to have been arrested but that is not something I can confirm at this stage.’
Debra and Chris were understood to have been on holiday in the area.
Ashton Town FC released a statement in tribute to Debra, writing ‘fly high x’
Debra and Chris were both reportedly on a jet ski when they were hit by a speedboat
The incident happened around 7.25pm on Saturday at a beach called Los Toros just west of the popular holiday resort of Estepona (File image)
A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency response coordination centre, speaking before police confirmed the nationality of the victim, said: ‘A woman died late on Saturday in the town of Manilva in Malaga in a collision between a jet ski and a motorboat
‘The nautical accident occurred on Los Toros beach at around 19:25 hours, when several witnesses alerted the coordination centre of a collision between a jet ski and a speedboat.
‘The Civil Guard went to the scene with coastguards who mobilised a boat called Gadir and emergency medical responders.’
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign Office told MailOnline: ‘We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.’
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