MIAMI (AFP) – Miami Marlins ace pitcher Jose Fernandez died early Sunday in a boating accident in Miami Beach, the Major League Baseball team announced.
“The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez,’’ the club said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.’’
Fernandez was one of three people killed in the accident, in which the 32-foot vessel had a “severe impact’’ with a jetty, authorities said. The Coast Guard discovered the overturned boat around 3:30 am.
The boat carrying Fernandez and two others was traveling at a high speed when it slammed into rocks, authorities said. Fernandez did not drown but was killed as a result of the impact, officials added.
Fernandez announced on Instagram last week that his girlfriend is pregnant.