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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks beat Oilers 5-4 in comeback to take Game 1
The Vancouver Canucks won the first game of their NHL playoffs series with the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Wednesday night coming back from a three-goal deficit.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.