Paul Walker, star of The Fast and the Furious movies, has died following a single car accident and subsequent explosion on Saturday. According to the TMZ, Walker, 40, died after an accident in Southern California. He was in the area for a car show set to benefit the Philippines typhoon relief effort. TMZ add that the actor and had been taking friends out for a series of rides in his new Porsche GT, and that the accident happened during one such drive. It is understood that Walker was a passenger in the car at the time, and the driver was also killed. Many fans questioned the news as it broke - suspecting and hoping that it was a hoax, in the vein of the Eminem and Lil Wayne death rumours that have circulated on social media over the past few months. Sadly, though, this news has now been confirmed, with a rep for the actor telling HollywoodLife.com, “Sadly, I must confirm that Paul did pass away this afternoon.  I don’t have an official statment at this time.” The star's official Twitter page has also been updated with the heartbreaking news.

It's with a heavy heart that we must confirm Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident...MORE: http://t.co/9hDuJMH99M - #TeamPW — Paul Walker (@RealPaulWalker) December 1, 2013

Walker, who also starred in Varsity Blues, She's All That and Skulls, is survived by his fifteen year old daughter. RIP.