Salsa dancing champion killed in Spanish car crash
by Gareth Davies
gareth.davies@essnmedia.co.uk
A national salsa champion who taught classes in Croydon has been killed in a horrific car crash in Spain.
Lee Wright died in the collision involving three vehicles in Malaga in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday) morning – two days after his 24th birthday.
It is believed that at 2.20am Mr Wright and another British man were travelling to their hotel in the tourist resort when another vehicle hit the back of their car sending them crashing into a car in front of theirs.
Mr Wright, who was sitting in the back seat, was killed instantly, while the other British man was seriously injured,
The driver of the other vehicle escaped with minor injuries but a female passenger, believed to be his wife, was killed.
Two other people were also injured in the crash.
Mr Wright was a popular figure on Croydon's dance scene and had been a salsa instructor at the Crobar before the venue shut down earlier this year.
In 2007, he and dance partner Shelley Cook were the UK National Professional Champions.
The pair also experienced success on the continent after winning a silver medal at the European Salsa Masters Championships in 2006.
Internet groups have been set up to pay tribute to the dance instructor, who had flown to Spain to celebrate his birthday.
One friend, Robert Saunders, wrote on the Facebook tribute site: "Such a happy, genuine, lovely person, such a loss.
"I can still picture him when he was just getting into salsa, happy, enthusiastic and full of fun.
"It was obvious he was going to become a good dancer, but more than that it was immediately clear what a great person he was."
Another poster, Fintan Lawler, described Mr Wright as having an "infectious" personality.
He said: "Words seem so inadequate at a time like this to express the shock and sadness at such a tragic loss.
"Lee was a truly fantastic person, his love of life, fun and dance was infectious and his teaching was inspirational."
14 Comments
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by Freya, Marylebone
Friday, November 21 2008, 1:00PM
“He touched people's lives
always there, always present
engaging them in a dance
any dance, every dance
May the angles send him back soon”
by Kasper Seward, South Croydon
Thursday, November 13 2008, 4:04PM
“A terrible loss to all those who knew and met him even only briefly.”
by Mambo Puppy, Tandridge
Wednesday, November 12 2008, 12:16AM
“I knew him from way back this guy was a genius in every sense of the word, academically, languages and especially dancing. He never stopped smiling, not once, always game, always mentally and sometimes physically tickling every person he knew. He defied every notion of salsa cliche. Sorry to see you go out like that bro. I always respected you and your talents. Guleh guleh arkadas”
by Astrid, Lima, Peru
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 3:27PM
“Lee was the most wonderful person... and an amazing dancer...
still can't believe that this is all true...!!!
Lee... you will be sadly missed by ssssssooooo many people.... we will never ever forget you....
xxx”
by chris barnes, cornwall
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 2:11PM
“He will be missed buy so many people,deeply moved to hear this sad news. sending love to shelly and close friends at this sad time.chris.”
by jason stokes, hastings
Monday, November 10 2008, 10:38PM
“wish i knew you better lee ... such a loss u had suxh a life ahead of you success in what you love ... just shock r.i.p cuz”
by tom, ireland
Monday, November 10 2008, 10:17PM
“lee was such a wonderful person, and a hugely positive influence on everyone around him. the world will be a much darker place without him.”
by Fluffy, Sutton, Surrey
Monday, November 10 2008, 5:52PM
“I'll never forget the few months we danced together, years before he became a salsa star. He was always an inspiration, even though, at the time, I had been dancing for much longer. It didn't take long before he overtook me, found a partner worthy of his talent, and took his place among the salsa stars of the world. I'm so priveledged and proud to have known him and to have called him my friend. I'll never forget him.”
by Ben Chai, Windsor
Monday, November 10 2008, 5:36PM
“Lee was a very talented person who rose from being the guy at the salsa ticket desk to an international salsa superstar in both his teaching and performance skills.
In the salsa scene, there are great performers who are not good at teaching and great teachers who aren't performers. .
Lee was one of those rare individuals who could do both
But more than anything else, Lee was just a great human being and even when he was a superstar he still had time for the little guys.
I am sure whereever he is now, he''l be spreading his infectious smile and encouraging people to dance.
He will be sadly missed by so so many people.”
by carl reeve, sidcup
Monday, November 10 2008, 5:34PM
“i will miss my cousin lee ,he didn,t even see my grand daughter he will be missed”