Skilled soccer participant Anton Walkes has died from accidents he sustained in a ship crash off the coast of Miami, authorities mentioned Thursday.
Walkes, who was 25, was discovered unconscious and brought to a hospital after the crash between two boats Wednesday close to the Miami Marine Stadium basin, in keeping with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee.
Walkes was working one of many boats that crashed, the state company mentioned in an announcement.
It was unclear whether or not anybody else was injured. The company’s investigation is ongoing.
Walkes, a defender, was coming into his second season with MLS membership Charlotte FC. The crew had arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 9 for its first leg of preseason coaching and had a pleasant scheduled with St. Louis on Saturday. That match has been canceled.
Charlotte FC proprietor David Tepper mentioned all on the membership had been “devastated by the tragic passing of Anton Walkes.”
“He was an amazing son, father, accomplice and teammate whose joyous lifestyle touched everybody he met,” Tepper mentioned in a membership assertion.
Walkes joined Charlotte for the membership’s debut MLS season in 2022. He performed in 23 matches with 21 begins and had 5 photographs on objective this previous season.
“Anton made these round him higher folks in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the very best commonplace each on and off the pitch,” Tepper mentioned.
Followers started laying flowers exterior the east gate of Charlotte’s Financial institution of America Stadium on Thursday.
Walkes started his profession with English Premier League membership Tottenham and in addition performed for Portsmouth earlier than signing with Atlanta United within the MLS, the place he spent three seasons.
The MLS launched an announcement saying, “There are not any phrases to explain the sorrow of everybody in Main League Soccer immediately.”
“Anton was a gifted and devoted participant who was beloved by his teammates and followers,” the assertion mentioned.
Related: Soccer world reacts after death of Anton Walkes
In 2016, a ship crash off Miami Seashore killed Major League Baseball participant Jose Fernandez, a star pitcher for the Miami Marlins. Fernandez and two different folks died when their 32-foot vessel slammed right into a jetty, in keeping with authorities.
Charlotte FC teammate Jaylin Lindsey mentioned he was “heartbroken” to study of Walkes’ loss of life.
“Fly excessive my brother, you are the very best teammate I may’ve requested for,” Lindsey tweeted. “Love you man.”
Tottenham Hotspur additionally tweeted: “We’re deeply saddened to listen to of the passing of former participant, Anton Walkes. The ideas of everybody on the Membership are together with his household and pals at this extremely unhappy time.”
Reporting from the Related Press.
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