US actor Paul Walker, who starred in the Fast & Furious film series, has died in a car crash in Los Angeles.
The 40-year-old was being driven in a Porsche to a charity event by a friend when they crashed on Saturday afternoon.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department said officers found the car engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene and two people were subsequently pronounced dead.
A statement on Walker’s Facebook page declared: ‘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.
‘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.’
Walker was the star of the Fast & Furious franchise alongside Vin Diesel and appeared in all but one of the six action blockbusters, beginning with the first film in 2001.
Released in May, the sixth instalment in the series was the most lucrative of them all, grossing more than $788million (£480million) worldwide.
The seventh film began shooting in September, with a release planned for July 2014.
Diesel posted on Instagram at the weekend: ‘Brother I will miss you very much. I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has gained a new Angel. Rest in Peace.’
Universal Pictures also released a statement declaring: ‘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 and Furious films, and to countless fans.
‘We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to Paul’s family.’
Walker is survived by his 15-year-old daughter.
