Fairytale of New York's Kirsty MacColl's horror speedboat death while saving son

30 November 2023 , 13:42

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Kirsty will always be remembered for the classic Christmas song Fairytale of New York (Image: Getty Images)

Devoted mother Kirsty MacColl died in tragic circumstances after dashing to save her young son's life.

The beloved singer-songwriter, who was just 41 years old at the time of her death, had been holidaying with her two sons, Louis and Jamie, and her musician boyfriend James Knight, in Cozumel, Mexico, shortly before Christmas 2000, 13 years after the release of her poignant track, Fairytale of New York.

On December 19, keen diver Kirsty and her family headed out for a dive at the Chankanaab reef, at a designated diving area watercrafts were prohibited from entering, accompanied by veteran divemaster, Iván Díaz. While surfacing from a dive, Kirsty spotted a powerboat entering the restricted area at speed, with the then 15-year-old Jamie right in its path. Kirsty was able to push Jamie out of the way, and he sustained only minor injuries to her ribs and head. Sadly, the boat struck and ran over heroic Kirsty, leaving her with severe chest injuries that killed her instantly.

Kirsty died while trying to save her young son (mirrorpix)

Those responsible were fined just £67 (Press Association)

The power boat was owned by wealthy businessman Guillermo Gonzalez Nova, who was on board at the time of the horror accident. A crew member by the name of Jose Cen Yam ended up taking the blame.

Speaking with the Irish Sunday Mirror in 2014, Kirsty's mother Jean MacColl spoke of her fury at how the incident was handled by the Mexican justice system, with the boat hand fined just £67. Jean said: "It was £67, a trivial amount. I had to tell her sons on Mother's Day that that's all their mother's life was valued at. I was angry, I'm still angry. All I wanted was the truth. I didn't want his money, it's dirty. I just wanted him to tell me the truth but he didn't have the nerve or the courage. I even wrote him a letter saying I just wanted the truth but he never replied. I despise him completely. I don't know how he can live with himself."

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News of Kirsty's death left many in the music world shocked and saddened, including her collaborator Shane MacGowan, who recently passed away at the age of 65. Reflecting on Kirsty's enduring legacy, Shane previously remarked: "I'm very grateful to Christ and his Holy Mother and Joseph and all the saints, including my family who have passed on, for the success of Fairytale. And I was very grateful to Kirsty MacColl – I don't think it would have been such a big hit without her contribution."

Julia Banim