Paul Walker dies in car crash during charity event for Philippine typhoon victims

Paul Walker, dead at 40. Photo from his Twitter page

“Fast and Furious” star Paul Walker is, indirectly, the latest victim of supertyphoon Haiyan/Yolanda. According to reports from multiple sources including his official Twitter page, the actor was at Santa Clarita, California, for a car show to support relief effort for Philippine typhoon victims. He had been taking friends out for rides in his Porsche when he met with an accident. It was not verified who was driving the car or why the accident happened. Paul Walker was 40 years old.

Walker’s representatives posted online, using the actor’s official Twitter and Facebook account, “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 organization Reach Out Worldwide.”

“He was a passenger in a friend’s car, in which both lost their lives.”

Sheriff deputies work near the wreckage of a Porsche sports car that crashed into a light pole on Hercules Street near Kelly Johnson Parkway in Valencia on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. A publicist for actor Paul Walker says the star of the “Fast & Furious” movie series has died in a car crash north of Los Angeles. He was 40. Ame Van Iden says Walker died Saturday afternoon. No further details were released. AP Photo/The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Dan Watson

Ame Van Iden, the actor’s publicist, said the accident happened Saturday afternoon (US time) in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department said the crash happened in community of Valencia. The Santa Clarita Signal reported a red Porsche crashed into a light pole and tree and burst into flames.

TMZ, the first entertainment website to break the news, said Walker was in a Porsche when its unidentified driver supposedly lost control and crashed into a tree.

The same article said Walker was in Los Angeles for “a car show to support the Philippines typhoon relief effort.”

The actor, together with his co-stars, earlier urged people to help the Philippines in the aftermath of what is now considered among the world’s strongest typhoons that left more than 5,000 people dead in the country.

Walker is the founder of Reach Out Worldwide, a humanitarian aid organization formed in 2010 to help victims of the Haiti earthquake. The organization has already sent medical teams to areas affected by the super typhoon “Yolanda.”

Until now, fans refuse to believe news of the actor’s death, thinking it is another hoax.

But Walker’s representatives said on Facebook, “We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news. Thank you for keeping his family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time. We will do our best to keep you apprised on where to send condolences.”

Walker was working on the latest “Fast & Furious” movie at the time of his death. He also starred in the suspense drama, “Hours,” a movie that is set for release this month.