Marlins' Jose Fernandez killed in Miami boating accident

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Washington Post

Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez is among three people who were killed in a boat crash Sunday morning off Miami Beach.

The Marlins confirmed Fernandez, 24, as one of the fatalities, with details of the 3 a.m. ET accident involving a 30-foot boat still sketchy as of early morning. According to the Miami Herald, emergency workers continued to search for more victims near Government Cut and South Pointe Park.

“They found a boat that was up against the jetties,” Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Todd Garofalo told WSVN. “They did do an initial search and they found three victims – two on top of the water, one underneath the boat and they had unfortunately passed away.”

Fernandez was originally scheduled to start Sunday’s game but was pushed back to Monday with pitcher Adam Conley coming off the disabled list.

“The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernandez,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time. Today’s game against the Atlanta Braves has been canceled.”

Fernandez, who was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2013, grew up in Cuba and defected to the United States on his third try in 2007. The story of his escape is harrowing, with Fernandez taking to the water to save his mother after she had fallen overboard during the trip from Cuba to Florida.

He finished high school in Tampa and was a first-round pick, 14th overall, in the 2011 major league draft. He had battled injuries, including an arm injury that required Tommy John surgery in May 2014.