Daughter of Toronto Blue Jays coach killed in 'terrible accident' while tubing in U.S.
The 17-year-old daughter of the Toronto Blue Jays' first base coach died in a "terrible accident" while tubing in the U.S. this weekend.
The team announced the passing of Julia Budzinski on Sunday morning after Mark Budzinski left the Blue Jays' dugout early in the second game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.
According to Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources spokesperson Paige Pearson, two girls were on a tube being pulled behind a boat on James River in Virginia this weekend when they fell off.
She said the driver of the boat turned around in an attempt to pick up the girls to get them out of the water.
"When the boat came to get the girls, a wave came and essentially put the boat over the victim and the propeller struck her," Pearson told CTV News Toronto.
She said the boat driver immediately jumped into the river to rescue the girl, as did another passing boat operator.
"Once they got the girl out of the water, they rushed back for help," she said. "She was taken to land, but was pronounced dead."
Pearson said no foul play is suspected, and alcohol was not a factor in the incident.
“It was a terrible accident,” she said.
In a statement released by the Blue Jays on Sunday, the team said the entire organization is grieving the loss of Julia.
"I have known Bud for more than 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a dad and husband first,” said Ross Atkins, executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager of the Blue Jays.
"He is loved and well-respected by our entire clubhouse and holds a special place in all our hearts."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Record-breaking N.B. lottery winner kept winning ticket on dresser for nearly a year
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.