The star of films Speed Racer and The Good German, Christian Oliver, and his two daughters were killed in a plane crash in the Caribbean, according to police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The police further explained that the crash occurred Thursday just west of Petit Nevis island near Bequia as the plane headed for nearby St. Lucia. They were traveling with a single-engine plane which allegedly had some problems early in the flight and then crashed into the water.
“Moments after taking off, the aircraft experienced difficulties and plummeted into the ocean,” investigators said.
As per a statement from the Royal SVG Police Force, local divers, fishermen, and members of the coast guard rushed to the scene to render assistance.
Military personnel were eventually able to recover the bodies of those onboard the plane: Oliver, his girls, Madita, 10, and Annik, 12 and the aircraft’s pilot and owner, Robert Sachs from Bequia.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
According to Deadline, the actor had just finished shooting his last scenes for the upcoming movie Forever Hold Your Peace. The director, Nick Lyon, posted a photo of himself and Oliver on Instagram ate Thursday night.
“We talked about producing a film together for years and finally did it,” Lyon wrote, adding that he and the late actor worked on five projects together throughout the years. “Thank you for being a great colleague, actor and friend.”
Lyon further referred to Oliver as to “such a brave actor and a beautiful person.”
Oliver’s ex wife and mother to their daughters said in a statement, “The deep bond, infectious laughter, and adventurous spirit shared by Madita and Annik will be profoundly missed in their communities,” among the rest.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Oliver and his daughters. May they rest in peace.