Major League Baseball star Jose Fernandez dies aged 24

Major League Baseball pitcher Jose Fernandez has been killed in a boating accident at the age of 24.

The US Coast Guard confirmed Fernandez, who played for the Miami Marlins, was one of three people killed in the accident off Miami Beach.

Fernandez was on a 32ft vessel that had a "severe impact" with a jetty, Lorenzo Veloz of the Fish Commission said.

In a statement, the team said they were "devastated by the tragic loss" of the two-time All-Star.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time," it added.

A Coast Guard patrol boat spotted an overturned vessel at 3.30am local time on Sunday on a jetty near Government Cut.

The bodies were discovered a short time later. The identities of the two other men have not been released.

Fernandez went 38-17 in his four seasons with the Marlins, and won the National League's Rookie of the Year award in 2013.

Born in Santa Clara, Cuba, Fernandez became a US citizen last year.

He tried to defect from Cuba at least three times, and was imprisoned after one unsuccessful attempt.

Fernandez eventually reached the US and went to high school in Tampa, Florida.

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

The team's home game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday has been cancelled.

"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."