MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — Jose Fernandez escaped from his native home of Cuba by boat on his fourth try as a teenager, and when his mother fell into the Yucatan Channel during the journey, he jumped in and pulled her out.
Fernandez’s heroic backstory made his death early Sunday that much more heart-wrenching. The charismatic Miami Marlins ace was killed in a boating accident at age 24.
Fernandez and two other people died when their 32-foot vessel slammed into a jetty off Miami Beach, authorities said.
“It’s very difficult for the Cuban community,” said Naslan, a Marlins fan paying his respects at Marlins Park hours after the news spread.