Actor Paul Walker — a self-styled adrenaline junkie best known for his role in “The Fast and the Furious” movies — was killed Saturday in a fiery single-car wreck in Southern California.
The 40-year-old Walker was riding in a Porsche GT about 3:30 p.m. when the driver lost control and slammed into a post or a tree in Santa Clarita, TMZ.com reported.
Moments later, the car burst into flames. It was not clear what caused the accident, authorities said.
Walker was in Santa Clarita, about 30 miles north of Los Angeles, for a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide.
“It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident,” read a message posted on his Facebook page. “He was a passenger in a friend’s car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news.”
One witness said he tried to put the fire out and recognized Walker’s body inside, according to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
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DAN WATSON/SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SIGNALFirefighters spray water on the wreckage of the Porsche that crashed in Valencia, Calif., on Saturday. |
Another spectator at the crash site said Walker had been taking a “joyride” with a close friend.
“Him and his buddy, his brother in arms at heart just decided to joyride, take a spin. Something we all do. We’re all car enthusiasts,” said Antonio Holmes, who said he was a friend of Walker’s.
“We’re all here driving, enjoying each other, and God must’ve needed help.”
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| Hollywood actor PAUL WALKER died earlier today when his Porsche GT exploded |
Holmes told the Valley Signal that he and others tried in vain to put out the flames from the car.
"We all ran around and jumped in cars and grabbed fire extinguishers and immediately went to the vehicle," Holmes said. "It was engulfed in flames. There was nothing. They were trapped. Employees, friends of the shop. We tried. We tried. We went through fire extinguishers.”
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CHRIS WEEKS/WIREIMAGE FOR SILVER SPOONA Porsche GT like the one Paul Walker was riding in California when he died Saturday, according to TMZ. |
The crash occurred on Rye Canyon Loop, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Responding deputies found the vehicle “engulfed in flames,” according to a sheriff’s department release.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze — and then found two victims in the charred wreckage. They were pronounced dead on the scene.
The agency would not release the victims’ names — or confirm whether Walker was one of them.
"All of us at Universal are heartbroken," Universal Pictures, the studio behind "The Fast the Furious" franchise, said in a statement following 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 AND FURIOUS films, and to countless fans."
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JAIMIE TRUEBLOOD/UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA APPaul Walker, as agent Brian O'Conner, leans against his 1998 Nissan Skyline GTR in a scene from "The Fast and the Furious." |
In a grim twist, Walker’s death came just days after he was the victim of an online death hoax. Several celebs and journalists took to Twitter hoping the new reports were another sick joke.
“Praying this Paul Walker story is not true,” wrote longtime NBA reporter Chris Palmer.
“Might have to watch The Fast & The Furious tonight. Gonna be a tear in my eye. RIP Paul Walker.”
Walker, who was raised a Mormon in the Los Angeles suburb of Sunland-Tujunga, entered show business when he was just a toddler. He scored roles in popular TV shows, including “Highway to Heaven,” and “Who's the Boss?”
His film career took off after he snagged a supporting role in the 1999 hit “Varsity Blues.”
Walker leaves behind a daughter, Meadow, 15, who moved to California from Hawaii a few years ago to be closer to her dad. In his last tweet on Twitter, Walker posted a photo of him standing with co-stars Vin Diesel and Tyrese Gibson.
“The boys are back,” read the Friday message hyping the release of “Fast and Furious 7.”
“Will you be ready?”
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