Football chairman Chris Wright held tragic wife Debra in his arms as she lay dying after jet ski crash in Costa del Sol
CRASH AGONY Football chairman Chris Wright held tragic wife Debra in his arms as she lay dying after jet ski crash in Costa del Sol
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A BRIT woman killed in a jet ski and speedboat crash on a Costa del Sol beach spent her last moments in her husband's arms, he has revealed.
Debra Wright, 47, was a mum of four and 'the glue' of the family, said her heartbroken husband Chris, chairman of Ashton Town FC.
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Debra Wright, 47, tragically died on Saturday evening in a crash at a beach in Costa del Sol's Manilva
Credit: Ashton Town FC
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The mum-of-four and grandma-of-seven was a primary school teaching assistant
Credit: Ashton Town FC
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'Our family will never be the same,' says her husband Chris Wright
Credit: Ashton Town FC
Primary school teaching assistant Debra tragically died on Saturday evening when a speedboat crashed into the jet ski that she was riding with Chris at Los Toros beach in Manilva - just west of Estepona.
Police said the speedboat was driven by a friend of the couple's, who failed a breath test after the horror crash.
Chris, 52, has told how he swam to his wife after the crash to 'hold her in my arms until she passed away'.
He 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.'
Debra's son Stuart McDonald shared a moving tribute on social media, writing: '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."
He added: '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.'
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Son Leon Wright wrote in a tribute of his own: '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."
Police said on Monday that the speedboat driver had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and an alcohol-related offence after failing a breath test.
Local outlets, including Diario Sur, say the reading the breath test gave was not a high one.
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He was reportedly released on bail after a behind-closed-doors court hearing on Sunday, with the investigation still ongoing.
He has not been named or formally charged with any offence at this stage.
Ashton Town FC, which plays in the North West Counties League Division One North, wrote 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.'
Friend Emma Fisher said: 'Our beautiful friend, we will miss you so much. Our ladies lunch will never ever be the same without you.
'To our Debra Wright rip with the angels. The world has lost such a beautiful soul and I will miss your gorgeous smile. Taken far too soon.'
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