A British father tragically lost his life in a jet ski accident while his wife looked on in anguish, according to details shared during an inquest.
Ali Watson, who was employed as a marketing manager in the United Arab Emirates, embarked on a planned boating excursion in December 2020.
His wife, Charlotte, and their four-month-old daughter, Soulie, accompanied him on the trip. The family had recently relocated from the UK to Dubai in search of a ‘better life’ just a few weeks earlier.
However, the day ended in heartbreak when Ali met his untimely death.
During the proceedings at Exeter Coroner’s Court, it was revealed that Ali was involved in a collision while riding a jet ski.
The incident occurred when another jet ski, driven at high speed by an instructor with a female passenger on board, sped past, leading to the fatal accident.
The passenger, who was a lifeguard, jumped off due to being frightened by the speed moments before the crash, the coroner was told.
Ali, from Coventry, was thrown into the air and landed face down in the water.
Ali Lescott, who died in a jet ski crash pictured alongside his wife Charlotte
Ali and Charlotte pictured with their daughter Soulie, who was four months old when her father died
He died at the scene from blunt force chest wounds.
Charlotte’s heartbreaking final words were ‘be safe, I love you’.
Ali’s stepfather John Watson said he was a ‘likeable character’ who had set up his own business in Dubai the same year he died.
He had previous experience of riding jet skis and the ones used that day had been hired by the boat trip organisers.
The inquest heard that suspended jail sentences and fines were handed out to those responsible for the crash.
The assistant Devon coroner Luisa Nicholson said Ali died as a result of an accident.
The family had moved to Dubai in September 2020 to have a ‘better quality of life’.
Charlotte, a content creator, from Birmingham said: ‘We went on a boat with a bunch of friends.
The family had moved to Dubai to have a ‘better quality of life’ and Ali had set up his own business
‘He was out in the water on a jet ski and the instructor collided with him.
‘I was holding the baby on the boat and witnessed it.
‘The last thing I said was “be safe, I love you”.
‘My world stopped spinning the moment Ali died. I couldn’t function. The world around you is still carrying on.’
Charlotte and Ali met on Depop in 2018 when he messaged her after she bought some trainers off him.
The pair hit it off and moved in together three months later.
It was December 2019 when they found out they were expecting a baby together. The couple were over the moon – and then wee Soulie arrived on July 29, 2020.
Due to the restrictions in place in the UK the family decided to try out Dubai in September.
The couple were on a boat trip with friends on December 6, 2020, when Ali was involved in a crash
Charlotte said: ‘He really wasn’t happy in the UK. There was no quality of life. We ended up building a life there.
‘It was just nice. We had a better quality of life. We could take Soulie swimming. I felt life was complete.’
But Charlotte’s world came crashing down just weeks later.
She said: ‘Even when I saw the crash I didn’t think the worst.
‘I thought he’d have a broken leg. Death doesn’t go through your mind.
‘When my friend said Char you need to sit down – I knew what she was going to say. I just felt my whole world had collapsed.
‘I just remember screaming at the top of my lungs.’
She said she struggled to keep going for Soulie when she found out their life insurance policy wasn’t active.
Now she raises awareness to make sure others are financially aware and to keep Ali’s memory alive.
She said: ‘It had been cancelled. We had a lot of stuff in a shipment. A lot of Soulie’s clothes, the cot.
‘I couldn’t get it released to me because it was in Ali’s name.
‘Me and my baby had literally nothing. When you lose someone unexpectantly, life stops. You still have to pay rent or mortgage and bills.
‘They don’t stop but you have stopped.’
Charlotte said she struggled to keep going for Soulie when she found out their life insurance policy wasn’t active
Now Charlotte is in a better place and has an open conversation with Soulie about her dad.
She said: ‘If I didn’t have her I would be lost. I had to carry on because she was a new born. Soulie is very aware of her dad. She’s dreams of him. She’s got his eyes. She’s very fragile, sensitive and very kind.
‘She’s such a ray of sunshine. I just want to protect her at all costs.’
Charlotte did have family and friends to support her when she was back in the UK but felt embarrassed to ask for help sometimes.
She said: ‘I was embarrassed to ask family. I didn’t want to say “can you help me financially?” You don’t want to think about paying the bills.
‘I didn’t take ownership of my finances.’
Charlotte now wants to make sure others are not relying on their partners financially and have life insurance in place.
She said: ‘Be aware of it for yourself. Don’t just rely on him.’
