US actor Paul Walker, who starred in
the Fast & Furious series of action films, has been killed in a car crash
in California.
Walker, 40, was a passenger in a
Porsche sports car driven by a friend - who also died - when it crashed north
of Los Angeles.
Walker was said to be attending a
charity event at the time.
He starred in all but one of the
films in the Fast & Furious franchise, the sixth of which opened in May.
Walker also starred in the suspense
drama Hours, a movie that is set for release this month.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's
department said the crash happened in the community of Valencia.
It said deputies found a car engulfed in flames when they
responded to a report of a collision. Two people found in the car were
pronounced dead at the scene.
Images showed the burned-out wreckage
of a red Porsche by the side of the road.
"It is with a truly heavy heart
that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car
accident while attending a charity event for his organisation
Reach Out
Worldwide," the statement on the actor's Facebook page said.
"He was a passenger in a
friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We... are stunned and saddened
beyond belief by this news.''
Universal Pictures also issued a
statement, saying studio staff were "heartbroken" by Walker's death.
"Paul was truly one of the most
beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss
is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast & Furious films,
and to countless fans.
"We send our deepest and most
sincere condolences to Paul's family."
Walker played undercover agent Brian
O'Conner in the Fast & Furious movies.
The first film of the franchise was
released in 2001 and the seventh is in development.
Walker was one of the leading
protagonists, along with Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez.
Diesel said in a post on Instagram:
"Brother I will miss you very much. I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has
gained a new Angel. Rest in Peace."
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