Paul Walker, Fast & Furious actor, dies in car crash

First responders gather evidence near the wreckage of a Porsche sports
car that crashed into a light pole on Hercules Street near Kelly
Johnson Parkway in Valencia, Calif., on Saturday.

Movie star, 40, was a passenger in red Porsche that burst into flames after hitting a light pole and tree, according to reports

Paul Walker, a star of the Fast & Furious movie series, has died in a fiery car crash north of Los Angeles.

Paul Walker

Walker, 40, was the passenger in a friend's car when it crashed on Saturday afternoon, a statement on the actor's Facebook page said. His publicist, Ame Van Iden, confirmed his death to the Associated Press.

The statement said Walker had been in the area to attend a charity event for his organisation Reach Out Worldwide.

"We ... are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news," the statement said.

The Los Angeles county sheriff's department said deputies found a car engulfed in flames when they responded to a report of a collision in the community of Valencia. Two people found in the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Santa Clarita Signal reported that a red Porsche crashed into a light pole and tree and burst into flames.

Walker had been working on Fast & Furious 7 at the time of his death. He also starred in the suspense drama Hours, to be released this month.

- AP