‘Speed Racer’ Actor Christian Oliver, 2 Daughters Killed in Caribbean Plane Crash: Officials

Christian Oliver attends the Premiere Of Amazon Prime Video's "Hunters" at DGA Theater on February 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

“Speed Racer” actor Christian Oliver and his two young daughters were killed after a plane they were traveling in crashed on Thursday, officials said.

A statement from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force said that the crash occurred near the Caribbean island of Bequia. The plane was going to St. Lucia from the J.F. Mitchell Airport, said officials.

“Moments after taking off, the aircraft experienced difficulties and plummeted into the ocean,” local authorities said on social media. “Fishermen and divers from Paget Farm went to the scene of the incident in their boats to render assistance. The SVG Coast Guard was informed and quickly traveled to Paget Farm, Bequia, to lead in the rescue efforts.”

The statement identified Christian Klepser, 51, and his two daughters, Madita, 10, and Annik, 12, as passengers who died in the plane crash. The actor used the stage name Christian Oliver.

A spokesperson for the actor confirmed his death to CBS News, saying that “thoughts and prayers are with him, his two daughters,and his family.”

“Forever Hold Your Peace’s” director, Nick Lyon, paid tribute to the actor on Thursday in an Instagram photo.

“We talked about producing a film together for years and finally did it,” Mr. Lyon wrote. “Thank you for being a great colleague, actor and friend.”

And Bai Ling, a co-star in “Forever Hold Your Peace,” posted a tribute to the actor on social media, describing him as “such a brave actor and a beautiful person.”

“I just could not believe it is the truth, the last we worked filming in #hollywood was December 20, 2023, just right before Christmas,” she wrote on social media. “I cannot express the sorrow I felt when our director, Nick, called me not long ago that the plane he took had crashed, including his beautiful two daughters and the pilot had all passed.”

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force added in its social media statement that the bodies of the victims were transported to a mortuary where an autopsy will be carried out. An investigation into the incident is underway, it said, adding that it “expresses condolences to all who are negatively affected by this tragic incident.”

Several residents in St. Vincent told a local outlet that they heard a strange noise made by the plane before it took off. “It sounded like when a vehicle is struggling ... you know, stalling, struggling for power to go up a hill,” local resident Danroy Joseph said.

The police statement did not provide details on the type of plane they were traveling in, only that it was a single-engine aircraft.

The U.S. Department of State told CBS that it is providing “all appropriate consular assistance” to the victims’ families.

As for Mr. Oliver’s career, he landed roles in multiple major films, including appearing alongside George Clooney, Tobey Maguire, and Cate Blanchett, according to IMDB.