Paul Walker dead: Hollywood star 'lived his life and died fast and furious'

Actor and former racing driver friend killed instantly after Porsche Carrera GT smashes into tree and bursts into flames

Tragic Hollywood star Paul Walker 'lived his life and died fast and furious', a friend said today.

Paying tribute to the 40-year-old actor, pal Jim Torp, said that Walker "loved speed and cars" and "had to die this way".

Walker was a passenger in the red Porsche Carrera GT - driven by friend and former racing driver Roger Rodas - when it smashed into a tree and burst into flames.

The pair, who were on their way to a charity event organised by Walker, died instantly.

As police continued their investigations into the fireball crash Sgt. Brian Allen of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station told the Santa Clarita Valley Signal: “We don’t know much about the cause of the collision other than that we know speed was at least a contributing factor."

Mr Torp, who was at the charity event organised by the star, said he and friends were trying to make sense of the horrific crash and its grim parallel to Walker's movie franchise.

He told the New York Daily News: "It's strange.

"(Walker) made his movies. He lived his life and he died fast and furious today. He loved speed, he loved cars, and he had to die this way. He died in a very fast car with his friend.