Marlins pitcher Fernandez dies in boating accident

Sept 25 (Reuters) - Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was killed in a boat crash early on Sunday in Florida, the U.S. Coast Guard said. He was 24 years old.

"The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the loss of Jose Fernandez," the Major League Baseball team said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time."

Fernandez was one of three people killed in the boating incident off Miami Beach, the Coast Guard said. The identities of the two other crash victims were not released.

Emergency crews responded to reports of a 33-foot center console boat overturned on a jetty at about 3:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT) on Sunday near the Government Cut shipping channel and South Pointe Park, where they found the three deceased passengers, the Coast Guard said.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident.

The Marlins canceled its game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday due to the death of Fernandez, who was the National League rookie of the year in 2013.

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