Is Paul Walker dead? Yes

Paul Walker, 'Fast & Furious' Star, Dead in Car Crash at 40

By Matt McDaniel;Esan Akinkunle  11 hours ago Yahoo Movies

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Paul Walker (Photo: Eamonn McCormack/WireImage)

Paul Walker, the edgy action hero with all-American good looks who became an international star with "The Fast & the Furious" movie franchise, has died in a fiery car collision in Southern California. He was 40 years old.

The sad news was confirmed Saturday night by Walker's camp via the actor's official Twitter account.

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

According to the statement put out by Walker's team and also posted on Facebook, the actor was "attending a charity event for his organization Reach Out Worldwide. He was a passenger in a friend's car.
"We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news," the statement continued. "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."

[Related: 'Fast' Stars and More Tweet Reactions to Paul Walker's Death]

The identity of the second victim, a male, has not been released by authorities; but numerous reports have identified the driver as Roger Rodas, the owner of Walker's auto-racing team, Always Evolving.
“Him and his buddy, his brother in arms at heart, just decided to joyride, take a spin," Antonio Holmes, an onlooker at the event who identified himself as a friend of Walker's, told the local Santa Clarita Valley Signal newspaper. "Something we all do. We're all car enthusiasts. ... We’re all here driving, enjoying each other, and God must’ve needed help."
According to witnesses, the red Porsche Carrera GT carrying Walker and his friend lost control and slammed into a tree and then a light pole. Walker, an unapologetic car lover, had been participating in the "Winter Drive" for Reach Out Worldwide, a toy drive and car meet charity event for disadvantaged children. Walker was also involved in humanitarian efforts in Chile and Haiti after the devastating earthquakes in both countries.
"Speed was a factor in the solo vehicle collision," the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said in a updated statement late Saturday.
Earlier, the sheriff's department and county coroner confirmed that two people were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles, around 3:30 p.m. PT.
"When they arrived, deputies found the vehicle engulfed in flames. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded, extinguished the fire and subsequently located two victims inside the vehicle," Sheriff's Deputy Kim Manatt said in a statement. "The victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the collision is under investigation."

[Photos: Paul Walker's Most Memorable Roles]

The tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed heartthrob was a California native, hailing from the L.A. suburb of Glendale. He began appearing in TV commercials when he was just a toddler. He guest starred on shows like "Highway to Heaven" and "Charles in Charge" as a teen, and scored his first leading role in 1998's "Meet the Deedles." This lead to higher profile roles in features like "Pleasantville," "Varsity Blues," and "She's All That" in the late '90s before cementing his status as a leading man in 2001's "The Fast and the Furious."
Walker starred in all but the third installment of the "Fast & Furious" movies, including the seventh chapter which is still in production and scheduled for release next summer. He also received critical acclaim for his performances in 2006's "Running Scared" and in Clint Eastwood's WWII drama, "Flags of Our Fathers." His next film, "Hours," about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, is scheduled to open on Dec. 13.
"Fast" running mate Vin Diesel posted an image of him and Walker on Instagram with the caption: "Brother I will miss you very much. I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has gained a new Angel. Rest in Peace."
Likewise, fellow franchise star Chris "Ludacris" Bridges grieved the loss of his friend.

Your humble spirit was felt from the start, wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark,… http://t.co/nUiPPIU9Bb
— Ludacris (@Ludacris) December 1, 2013

Life is fast & furious, no matter how fast you are, you will still be in 6 feet underground..*quote by Esan Akinkunle. Click like on our facebook fan page Click to Like 

In a brief statement, Universal, the studio behind the "Fast" franchise, also mourned one of its top stars: "All of us at Universal are heartbroken. 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, Meadow.
—Additional reporting by Taryn Ryder & Esan Akinkunle. Follow us on twitter @k1Revenger

Metro North train derails in NYC; at least 4 dead: FDNY

By Dylan Stableford, Yahoo News 3 minutes ago

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A New York Fire Department boat approaches the scene of a Metro-North passenger train in the Bronx borough of New York Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. The train derailed on a curved section of track early Sunday morning, causing "multiple injuries," authorities said. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

A Metro North train bound for New York City derailed along the Hudson River early Sunday, killing at least four people and injuring 63, including 11 critically, fire officials said.
The train was en route to New York's Grand Central Station from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., when it derailed near the Spuyten Duyvil station in the Bronx.
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It's unclear how many passengers were on board the train when it derailed. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the train's operator was among those injured.
Aaron Donovan, a spokesman for the MTA, said that the derailment occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. Five of the train's seven cars derailed, he said, but none went into the water.
According to Metro North, the train left Poughkeepsie at approximately 5:54 a.m. and scheduled to arrive at Grand Central at 7:43 a.m. Service has been suspended indefinitely on the Hudson Line.
Aerial photos taken above the scene showed several train cars laying on their sides, and one near the bank of the Hudson River. According to New York's CBS affiliate, the train derailed about 100 feet north of the Spuyten Duyvil station.
In July, a freight train derailed near the same station. No one was injured in that incident.
In May, a Metro North train derailed in Fairfield, Conn., injuring 60 people, five of them critically.
The National Transportation Safety Board was en route to the scene to begin an investigation, Cuomo said.

aerial photo of the train derailment (via @SheldonDutes4NY) #MetroNorth pic.twitter.com/POLVgPKADG
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) December 1, 2013

#MetroNorth has derailed in Spuyten Duyvil section of the #Bronx around 7:19AM. It was the 5:54 Poughkeepsie train. pic.twitter.com/rxWpEhUvNf
— Alisha Laventure (@AlishaLaventure) December 1, 2013

Many people injured. Rescue still happening. #MTA pic.twitter.com/OzH2aPCnsu
— Daniel Cohen (@danielcohen) December 1, 2013

#mta #metronorth #derailment pic.twitter.com/H7gp5fDBI0
— Jonathan Maggio (@JonMaggio) December 1, 2013

Here's another look at the scene of MNR #derailment. More info here: http://t.co/udBMwQrZhw #Breaking pic.twitter.com/Bp8z1FXPe4
— CBS New York (@CBSN