Wife of football club chairman, 47, dies in horror jet ski crash on Costa del Sol - as man arrested
A British woman has died after a fatal collision between her jet ski and a speedboat near Malaga, with reports the speedboat driver was under the influence of alcohol.
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The Ashton Town family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Debra. As we mourn together, our upcoming friendly against Burscough has been postponed as a mark of respect. Our thoughts and love are with everyone who knew and cherished her. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hwnZfP0t84
— Ashton Town FC (@ashtontownfc) June 30, 2025
Debra Wright, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene after her jet ski collided with a speedboat off the Costa del Sol.
Ms Wright was the wife of Chris Wright, Chairman of Ashton Town Football Club, Makerfield, Greater Manchester.
The incident occurred around 7pm on Saturday near Playa de Los Toros in Manilva, Malaga.
The man driving the speedboat was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and an alcohol-related offence before being released under investigation.
An investigation by the Civil Guard suggests one of the two boats may have made a turn which led to the accident. After studying different witness accounts, the investigators attributed the manoeuvre to the motorboat.
The driver of the boat and Ms Wright were friends who were on holiday together, according to the Spanish Civil Guard.
The Civil Guard, Salvamento Maritima rescue service and a medical team attended the scene after receiving calls from witnesses. Attempts to resuscitate Ms Wright were unsuccessful.
The man detained produced a positive result for alcohol in a breathalyser test, although sources said the result was not high, according to local media.
Ms Wright was a teaching assistant and lived in Manchester, according to her social media profiles.
Chris Wright, the husband of Ms Wright, paid tribute to his wife, describing her as “an amazing woman whose glow would fill any room” and “one of a kind”.
Mr Wright, 52, who is chairman of Ashton Town Football Club, said he was on the jet ski with her and “swam to her 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.”
Ashton Town FC said in a statement: "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 while 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.”
Last July, a 32‑year‑old woman and a seven‑year‑old child lost their lives in separate jet ski incidents in Malaga.
In response, authorities increased patrols, deploying drones and unmarked boats to detect reckless behaviour and uphold maritime regulations.