Baseball star killed in boat accident

  • 26/09/2016
Jose Fernandez (Getty file)
Jose Fernandez (Getty file)

Jose Fernandez, the ace right-hander for the Miami Marlins who escaped Cuba to become one of baseball's brightest stars, has died in a boating accident.

Authorities said Fernandez, 24, was one of three people killed in a crash off Miami Beach early Sunday morning.

Chief Petty Officer Nyxolyno Cangemi said a Coast Guard patrol boat spotted an overturned boat at 3:30 am on a jetty near Government Cut.

The bodies were discovered a short time later, and officials said speed played a factor.

"We are devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez,'' the Marlins said in a statement.

Reaction quickly poured in from around the game. Major League Baseball released a statement saying it was "stunned and devastated.''

"He was one of our game's great young stars who made a dramatic impact on and off the field since his debut in 2013,'' MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organisation and all of the people he touched in his life.''

The Marlins' game Sunday at home against the Atlanta Braves has been cancelled. The Braves, along with several other teams, quickly shared their condolences with the Marlins.

"Hands down one of my favourite guys to watch pitch! He brought nothing but intensity and passion,'' Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price said on Twitter.

Fernandez was on a 32-foot vessel that had a "severe impact'' with a jetty, said authorities.

The overturned boat remained in the water Sunday morning, its engine partially submerged as its nose pointed skyward, as debris from the crash was scattered over some of the large jagged rocks.

Fernandez was a two-time All-Star who went 38-17 in his four seasons with the Marlins, winning the NL's Rookie of the Year award in 2013.

The native of Santa Clara, Cuba became a US citizen last year and was enormously popular in Miami.

He tried to defect from Cuba at least three times - landing in jail after one of those unsuccessful tries - before eventually getting to the US and going to high school in Tampa, Florida.

The Marlins drafted him in 2011 and Fernandez was in the majors two years later.

"I'm still in shock,'' former Marlins player Gaby Sanchez said on Twitter.

"The world has lost a remarkable person. You will be missed and my heart goes out to the Fernandez family.''