Australian killed in Spanish diving accident

AN AUSTRALIAN diver has died after he was hit by a boat off the coast of Formentera, south of Ibiza (Spain).

Stephen Jones and his wife Fiona were on a dream holiday to celebrate his 40th birthday when tragedy struck.

He was swimming with a group using an electric underwater scooter when he emerged from a dive straight into the path of an incoming boat and was hit.

The boat stopped and he was taken to shore where an ambulance was waiting, but he could not be saved.

Mr Jones was an executive director at the Melbourne operations of global wealth management firm Canaccord Genuity.

In a statement the company said: “He was a very special person.

“He engaged deeply with so many people. The outpouring of emotion and messages from people who have become aware of the tragedy has been overwhelming, which is testament to his fine character and big heart.

“He was a caring and thoughtful person who had a wonderful presence. He was a dedicated husband and father, and an outstanding member of our team here at Canaccord.”