News

UPDATED: Pitcher Roy Halladay dies in Gulf of Mexico plane crash

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2014, file photo, former Philadelphia Phillies' Roy Halladay acknowledges the crowd before a baseball game against the New York Mets, in Philadelphia. Authorities have confirmed that former Major League Baseball pitcher Roy Halladay died in a small plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File) Photo: Associated Press/Matt Slocum


HOLIDAY, Fla. (AP) — Authorities have confirmed that former Major League Baseball pitcher Roy Halladay died in a small plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said during a news conference that Halladay’s ICON A5 went down about noon Tuesday near Holiday, Florida.

The sheriff’s office marine unit responded to the downed plane and found Halladay’s body. No survivors were found.

They said they couldn’t confirm if there were additional passengers on the plane or say where it was headed.

Halladay retired in 2013 after 12 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays followed by four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.

UPDATE 11/8/17

VACAVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Executives and employees of the company behind the small sport plane that retired pitcher Roy Halladay was flying when he crashed near Florida say they are devastated to learn of his death.

California-based ICON Aviation issued a statement Tuesday saying, “We have gotten to know Roy and his family in recent months, and he was a great advocate and friend of ours.”

Halladay had gotten the plane less than a month ago, and posted on social media that he had dreamed about owning an A5.

The tiny amphibious craft is made for recreational pilots.

In May, the chief designer of the plane and the company’s director of engineering died in one of them, crashing during a flight at Lake Berryessa, California. Federal investigators blamed pilot error.

ICON says it will do all it can to support the investigation of Halladay’s crash.

Recent Headlines

4 hours ago in Sports

Fan interference denies Anthony Volpe a tying homer as Yankees get swept by Rays in ALDS

With the Yankees' season at stake, Anthony Volpe was denied a tying home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of their AL Division Series when a replay review determined a fan interfered with his drive to deep left field Wednesday night.

4 hours ago in Sports

Brewers eliminate Padres with 3-1 win in Game 4, advance to NLCS rematch with Dodgers

Although outfielder Garrett Mitchell gracefully accepted congratulations for robbing Manny Machado of a tying home run late in the Milwaukee Brewers' Division Series-clinching victory, he clearly wasn't all that impressed with himself.

21 hours ago in Sports

49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk wins appeal on fine over ‘Juice’ celebration that NFL said imitated beer chug

San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk won his appeal over the fines issued by the NFL for what it deemed an "offensive" celebration when he imitated drinking a beverage, which the league said looked like he was chugging a beer.

1 day ago in Sports

Padres avoid elimination, beat Brewers 4-3 in NLDS Game 3 with Cronenworth’s HR, King’s relief

When right-hander Michael King dramatically emerged from the bullpen in a darkened Petco Park to pitch in the eighth inning of Game 3 just two days after he made a five-inning start in Game 2, the San Diego Padres' desperate determination to extend their season was clear.

2 days ago in Sports

Harry Kane scores on record-tying 125th appearance for England

Harry Kane made a record-tying 125th appearance for England in the Nations League match against Czechia at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday — and marked the occasion with another goal.