A former US baseball star has died after his plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico.
Roy Halladay, 40, was confirmed dead following the crash about ten miles west of St Petersburg, Florida, on Tuesday afternoon.
His former clubs, the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays, were both quick to share tributes to him.
The pitcher, nicknamed Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay, was known for winning the prestigious Cy Young award two times.
He reportedly obtained his pilot’s licence after retiring from the sport in 2013, and regularly shared pictures and videos of his Icon A5 plane on Twitter.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said Halladay’s body was found near the plane and that a full investigation is under way. He was the only person on board at the time.
“Many know Roy as a Cy Young pitcher, a future hall of famer. One of the best pitchers ever in the game of baseball,” the Sheriff said.
“We know Roy as a person. As a caring husband who lived his wife Brandy. Who loved his two boys tremendously. He coached our baseball teams.
“To Brandy, the boys and the whole family, we are so sad for your loss. We are praying for you. We know how much he means to you. And I can tell you from the bottom of our hearts, we know much you all meant to him.”
A statement from the Philadelphia Phillies said the club was “numb” following the news.
It said: “There are no words to describe the sadness that the entire Phillies family is feeling over the loss of one of the most respected human beings to ever play the game.”
The Toronto Blue Jays’ statement described Halladay as one of “the greatest and most respected players”.
“It is impossible to express what he has meat to this franchise, the city and its fans,” it added.
