Fairytale of New York singer Kirsty MacColl's tragic speedboat death 'still gives son flashbacks'

On the 25th anniversary of her death in a horrific speedboat accident, Kirsty MacColl's son Louis remembers his mum

Its annual arrival on the airwaves and in shops is often the first sign of the festive season. But for Louis Lillywhite, the Christmas classic Fairytale of New York holds a more poignant meaning. He was just 14 when his mother, Kirsty MacColl – who dueted on the hit with Pogues singer Shane MacGowan – was killed in a horrific speedboat accident.

Kirsty died instantly the week before Christmas after being run over at high speed off the coast of Mexico on December 18, 2000, as she surfaced from a scuba dive. She was 41 and at the peak of her career following the release of her acclaimed album, Tropical Brainstorm.

Louis and his brother Jamie, then 15, were in the water w