
BREAKING NEWS Woman killed in Spain jet ski accident named as wife of football club chairman
Debra Wright, 43, the wife of Ashton Town chairman Chris Wright, was named as the victim earlier today.
The 43-year-old is believed to have died instantly after being hit by a speedboat police sources said today was being driven by a friend who failed a breath test after the fatal crash.
Spanish court officials have said the man arrested over the death appeared in court yesterday on suspicion of manslaughter alongside an alcohol-related offence.
In a statement, the club wrote: '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.
A message released by Ashton Town FC as a tribute to Debra on social media today
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 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.'
The British woman killed is believed to have been on holiday in the area. The nationality of her partner and of the 'friend' said to have been driving the speedboat is not yet known.
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.'
An unmanned man reportedly failed a breath test after the tragedy.
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Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
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Football club chairman held dying wife in his arms after horror jet ski crash
Debra Wright, 47, was riding a jet ski with her husband Chris when the collision happened at Los Toros beach in Manilva, Costa del Sol - and tragically died in his arms A Brit mum-of-four tragically died in her husband's arms after a horrific crash between a jet ski and a speedboat on a beach in Spain 's Costa del Sol. Debra Wright, 47, was riding a jet ski with her husband Chris when the pair were caught in the collision on Saturday evening at Los Toros beach in Manilva, just west of Estepona. The speedboat was allegedly driven by a friend of the couple, who reportedly failed a breath test after the crash. Chris, 52, chairman of Ashton Town FC, swam to his wife in the aftermath and cradled her as she slipped away. Debra, a primary school teaching assistant, was described by her heartbroken husband as 'the glue' of the family. In tribute, Chris said: '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. 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.' In a heartbreaking tribute posted to Facebook, Debra's son, Stuart McDonald, said: '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. You know I was never one for a Facebook post, but this is just for you. Sleep tight Mum, I miss you so much. Life will never be the same without you.' Paying tribute in another post, Debra's son Leon Wright said: '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." The couple were riding the jet ski when it was struck from behind off Los Toros beach, a police source said. Spanish court officials said the speedboat driver was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and an alcohol-related offence after failing a breath test. According to local outlets, including Diario Sur, the reading on the breath test was not a high one. The man was reportedly released after a secret court hearing on Sunday, with the investigation still ongoing. He remains unnamed and has not been formally charged with any offence. Ashton Town FC, which is based in Greater Manchester and plays in the North West Counties League Division One North, said in a statement on Monday: 'It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that on behalf of Ashton Town FC we announce the tragic death of Debra Wright, the 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 x.'


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