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Kirsty MacColl dies in swimming accident

LONDON--British pop vocalist Kirsty MacColl , 41, died on Monday (12/18) while on holiday in Mexico. She was swimming in the resort area of Cozumel when she was fatally hit by a speedboat.

According to a statement from her management company, "The accident happened when Kirsty, a keen diver, was hit by a speedboat travelling illegally in an area reserved for swimmers. Her two children were with her in the water at the time, but both of them are alright."

MacColl, the daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl, released her latest album "Tropical Brainstorm" in March. However, she is best known for her vocals on other artists’ songs including Morrissey’s "Interesting Drug," the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" and contributions to recordings by the Rolling Stones, Billy Bragg and Simple Minds.

The singer first began her career as the frontwoman for punk group the Addix in the mid-Seventies and released her first single "They Don’t Know" in 1979.

MacColl’s latest project before she died was to record a documentary about Cuban music for Britain’s BBC Radio 2. The series, which was to start running on Wednesday (12/20) has now been postponed and will need consent from her family before airing.