Melbourne father of three Stephen Jones, 40, killed in Spain

A trip to Spain’s beautiful Balearic Islands has turned to tragedy for a couple celebrating their joint birthdays. The devastated wife of Stephen Jones was this week forced to make a heartbreaking journey back to their three children in Melbourne after the fatal boat strike.

A holiday snap of Stephen Jones, with wife Fiona, days before he was tragically killed in Spain. Picture: Supplied

A “magnificent” Melbourne man has died in a tragic boating accident in Spain.

Stephen Jones, 40, was hit and killed by a boat on Friday while diving off the coast of Formentera, a beautiful island south of Ibiza.

The father of three, the son of prominent businessman Russell Jones, was on holiday with his wife, Fiona, and six friends.

In a statement from the Jones family today, Stephen’s father Russell wrote of the “wonderful son” and “best dad” the family has lost.

“Stephen was a wonderful son … An adored brother to his sister Felicity and her husband Chris, the most fabulous husband to his wife Fiona and just the best dad to Will, Jean and Herbie,” it read.

The group was holidaying in Spain’s Balearic Islands when tragedy struck. Picture: iStock

“Together with all our family and his many many friends we will miss and mourn his loss deeply.”

Stephen’s mother Lesley said there would be so much to miss of her son, who had been celebrating his 40th birthday at the time.

Joining the tributes was his father-in-law Andrew de Crespigny, who said Mr Jones was “the most magnificent person”.

“He would do anything for anyone,” he said.

“He was a very caring individual and always had time for people. He was outgoing, polite and considerate.

“We were absolutely blessed to have a son-in-law the calibre of Stephen.

“We have lost one of the most fine gentlemen you could meet.”

HOW THE TRAGEDY UNFOLDED

The Herald Sun understands the group of eight friends were on holiday celebrating Mr and Ms Jones’ 40th birthdays.

But tragedy struck when Mr Jones was hit by a boat while diving with an underwater propeller on Friday afternoon.

“Unluckily, the person died (a) few minutes after the accident,” a spokesman for the Spanish Civil Guard said.

Melbourne father of three Stephen Jones.

The police investigation into Mr Jones’ death remains open, with a report expected to be sent to a local judge this week.

A photo taken during the trip, just days before the tragic accident, shows the couple beaming.

A heartbroken Ms Jones arrived home to couple’s three children — Will, 9, Jean, 7, and Herbie, 4 — on Monday night.

“He was a totally and utterly devoted dad,” Mr de Crespigny said.

“Both of them are superb parents devoted to their kids and each other — perfection in every way.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was assisting “the family of an Australian man who died in Spain”.

“Owing to privacy obligations were are not able to provide further comment,” a spokeswoman said.

Mr Jones was an executive director at Canaccord Genuity Group, a Canadian investment banking and financial firm.

He graduated from Trinity Grammar and later Melbourne University, before studying a Masters of Business Administration at the University of New South Wales and Stern university in New York.

Stephen Jones graduated from the University of Melbourne.

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He had previously worked for big-tier firm KPMG, Australia Post and, in 2015, co-founded the online marketplace House of Home.

He had a series of prestigious connections that included his wife’s relatives — the well-known de Crespigny family.

The extended de Crespigny brood includes former mining magnate Robert Champion de Crespigny and heroic pilot Richard Champion de Crespigny, who safely landed a passenger plane suffering engine failure in 2010.

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